Money could begin flowing to Tennessee from the massive $26 billion opioid settlement as soon as April. However, the state’s share of more than $600 million will be divvied up many times over many years, dispersing the impact of the biggest such windfall since the nationwide tobacco settlement.
The money should be somewhat front-loaded, though state officials don’t yet have the final figure for payments in 2022. In total, nearly $250 million is set aside to go directly to Tennessee’s 95 counties. Much of that sum is for what’s described in the settlement as “opioid abatement.” The term is broadly defined and includes spending that could qualify as cleaning up the mess the opioid crisis has left — from rehabilitation programs to buying overdose reversal medication.
More: 4 U.S. companies will pay $26 billion to settle claims that they fueled the opioid crisis
Counties will get money mostly based on population. But the settlement also considers local overdoses and opioid prescriptions in recent years. For example, Knox County, which has had a disproportionately high impact, is getting an 8% share, even though it has less than 7% of the state’s population.
More: See all county breakdowns here
The state of Tennessee will also receive roughly $250 million, which the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council will decide how to spend statewide.
Nearly $100 million, over the 18-year settlement, flows directly into Tennessee’s general budget with no requirements for how it’s spent, though the state legislature could also use that money on opioid programs.
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