*This report was replaced in its entirety by the Opioid Abatement Authority on January 5, 2024.

The Opioid Abatement Authority was created by the General Assembly in 2021 and began operations in late 2022. During its first full year of business the Authority accomplished the following:

• Completed a series of seven town-hall style “listening sessions" at various locations throughout the commonwealth.

• Awarded more than $23 million in grants to 76 cities and counties, and nearly $11 million to 16 different state agencies for opioid abatement and remediation efforts.

• In partnership with the Virginia Institute for Government, launched the first of its kind “Virginia Abatement Academy" that included 14 free online webinars highlighting best practices in opioid abatement and remediation efforts, serving more than 2,300 attendees/viewers across the Commonwealth.

• Conducted two in-person “Best Practices for Local Government" abatement workshops, with approximately 80 attendees in each event.

• Partnered with the Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League to hold numerous informational meetings around the state for local government leaders.

• Created and funded planning grants for localities to develop abatement strategies.

• Launched the second annual round of grant applications for cities and counties; this application period will close on April 1, 2024.

Through these efforts the Commonwealth of Virginia has established itself as national leader in the management of opioid settlement funds:

• Virginia is believed to be among the first five states to issue opioid settlement grants.

• A coalition of more than 60 national public health organizations led by Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health awarded the Opioid Abatement Authority its “Award for Excellence in the Application of the Opioid Litigation Principles" for the 3rd quarter of 2023.

• The work of the OAA was highlighted by the National Governor’s Association, The National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties, and the Virginia Association of Counties.