Oregon — The Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Board (OSPTR) on Wednesday approved a $13 million allocation to support Oregon’s Behavioral Health Resource Networks (BRHNs), helping close a major funding gap and stabilize substance use disorder services statewide.
Board leaders said the investment reflects a balancing act between maintaining recently built treatment infrastructure and investing in long-term system improvements. “The Opioid Settlement Board continues to step up to address the opioid epidemic, but we must continue to balance the tension between maintaining newly built infrastructure and funding innovations that will lead to long-term system improvement,” said Board Co-Chair Annaliese Dolph.
BRHNs were created following voter approval of Measure 110, the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act, in November 2020. The networks provide screenings, assessments, treatment, peer support, harm reduction services, and housing assistance to people with substance use disorders, regardless of their ability to pay.
The networks are primarily funded through cannabis tax revenue. However, an oversupply in the marijuana market has driven prices down, resulting in an estimated $100 million funding shortfall over the past 18 months, with additional declines projected.
To reduce future uncertainty, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will adjust BHRN grant awards annually each July to align with updated revenue forecasts.
The $13 million allocation will support 36 BRHNs across Oregon and reduce a previously projected 27% funding cut over the next year. From 2022 through 2025, BHRN providers reported roughly 3 million client encounters, serving hundreds of thousands of Oregonians.
“This funding is critical to keeping lifesaving behavioral health services available in communities across Oregon,” said Ebony Clarke, OHA’s Behavioral Health Director. “This critical investment helps stabilize essential services so people can continue to access care, regardless of their ability to pay.”
The Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Fund represents the state’s share of Oregon’s opioid settlement proceeds and is overseen by the 18-member OSPTR Board. Since July 2021, Oregon has reached national settlement agreements with multiple companies over their role in the opioid crisis. Through these agreements, more than $700 million will be distributed to Oregon through 2039, with 45% allocated to the state and 55% to local jurisdictions.
More information on Oregon’s opioid settlement funds is available at oregon.gov/opioidsettlement.
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