Established by the General Assembly in 2021 and operational since late 2022, the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) plays a critical role in directing opioid settlement resources toward meaningful, measurable impact across the Commonwealth.

In 2025, the OAA strengthened its position as a national leader through strategic grantmaking, targeted overdose prevention initiatives, enhanced technical assistance, and a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making.

The OAA’s work reflects a balanced approach—pairing significant investment at the local and state levels with the tools, guidance, and analytics needed to ensure funds are used effectively. By expanding capacity for cities, counties, and state agencies; prioritizing equity-focused interventions; and increasing public visibility into outcomes, the Authority continues to advance a coordinated, statewide response to the opioid and substance use crises.

Through continued collaboration with local governments, academic partners, state agencies, and community organizations, the OAA is not only distributing funds but also building the infrastructure, knowledge base, and accountability systems necessary for long-term impact.

As the OAA looks ahead to 2026, it remains focused on strengthening outcomes, addressing disparities, and ensuring that opioid settlement dollars translate into lives saved and communities strengthened across Virginia.