Albuquerque city councilors voted to distribute $5.2 million from recent opioid‑related legal settlements into local treatment, housing and prevention initiatives, a move that city officials say could directly impact residents struggling with addiction.
According to KOAT, the resolution earmarks $2 million for the Gateway System of Care to launch a treatment navigation program. The program will assess individuals staying in city shelters and connect those with opioid use disorder or co‑occurring conditions to treatment, recovery support and housing services.
Another $1.4 million is directed to the Medical Sobering Center, which will refer people who screen positive for opioid use disorder to medication‑assisted treatment. Councilor Nichole Rogers, who sponsored the resolution, explained that shelter staff can currently provide lists of providers but lack the ability to link clients directly to care.
The plan also includes $300,000 for recovery housing, providing safe, stable environments for individuals transitioning from treatment to independent living.
In addition, $1.5 million is allocated for the second year of the Albuquerque Public Schools Opioid Crossroads program. The program delivers substance‑use prevention and early‑intervention services to students at selected schools, aiming to reduce youth exposure to opioids.
Rogers warned that while the settlement funds enable immediate action, the city has not yet determined how to sustain the programs after the initial allocation is spent. “We may not be able to pay for it next year. That’s something that the council will have to grapple with when we work on the budget,” she said.
The council also approved the creation of a public‑accountability dashboard that will track spending and program outcomes, allowing residents to see how many people receive services and how the money is used.
The settlement money originates from lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors accused of contributing to the addiction and overdose crisis. City officials say the funds represent a critical opportunity to address the epidemic locally.
What’s next: Council members will need to address long‑term financing in the upcoming municipal budget cycle. The accountability dashboard is slated to go live later this year, providing ongoing transparency for Albuquerque residents.
Sources: koat.com
