Maricopa County awards $4.3 million in opioid settlement funds to combat drug epidemic

Maricopa County will give $4.3 million in opioid settlement funds to groups providing resources to individuals and families battling substance abuse.

BY ROXANNE DE LA ROSA

Mar 27, 2025, 8:00 PM Updated: Mar 28, 2025, 11:45 am

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PHOENIX — Maricopa County will disperse $4.3 million in opioid settlement funds to 17 organizations that provide resources to individuals and families struggling with substance abuse.

The money is part of the One Arizona Distribution of Opioid Settlement Funds Agreement, which committed to increasing services at three organizations already receiving opioid settlement funds and adding 14 new groups to the list.

“The opioid and polysubstance use crisis continues to impact families across Maricopa County, and these funds allow us to take meaningful action,” Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin said in Wednesday a release. “By providing more resources to organizations who are on the front lines of this battle, we are building a stronger, more coordinated response to help those affected.”

In 2024, approximately 1,600 Arizonans died from an opioid overdose and there were more than 4,000 confirmed opioid overdoses. In response, federal guidelines made it easier for people to access opioid addiction treatment in Arizona.

Organizations that were selected underwent a competitive bidding process. The funds will support prevention, treatment and harm reduction intervention programs, as well as services that provide recovery support and help with care coordination.

Contracts will be awarded starting April 1, and approved organizations can reapply up to four additional years. The county selected organizations that used research-based methods and culturally appropriate care to help communities that the opioid pandemic devastated.

Projects that were funded were required to be in alignment with Maricopa County’s Substance Use Prevention & Response Strategic Plan for fiscal 2024-28.

Which organizations received Maricopa County opioid settlement funds?

Axiom Community; $236,000
Community Medical Services; $250,000
DynamiCare Health; $298,000
LifeLab Studios; $207,000
Maggie’s Place; $228,000
Neighborhood Ministries; $152,000
notMYkid; $130,000
Peer Solutions; $299,000
Phoenix Rescue Mission; $306,000
SAGE Counseling; $97,000
Scottsdale MAT Clinic; $300,000
Scottsdale Recovery; $233,000
Social Spin Laundromat; $396,000
South Mountain WORKS; $88,500
Southwest Behavioral and Health Services; $71,000
University of Arizona; $500,000
Valle del Sol; $500,000

Next month, other organizations will have the chance to apply for opioid settlement funds by sending in a Request for Proposals (RFP). If an organization’s RFP gets approved, they’ll get technical assistance as well as funding to help them expand their business-focused substance use toolkits.

This project will help businesses create and implement workplace policies to bring awareness around substance misuse. Companies that are interested can apply at the county website.