Opioid Settlement Funds
Clark County in 2018 filed a lawsuit in federal court against several pharmaceutical companies that sell opioids. Clark County joined more than 400 jurisdictions nationwide seeking to hold the companies accountable for harm opioid addiction inflicted on their communities.
Clark County is expected to receive approximately $9.7 million in settlement funds over the next 17 years. As part of the settlement, jurisdictions must establish an Opioid Abatement Council that will make decisions on awarding grants to applicants.
On June 27, 2023, the County Council approved a sole-source contract with Carelon Behavioral Health to manage and implement the administrative requirements of the opioid settlement as set forth in the One Washington Memorandum of Understanding between Washington Municipalities. Carelon Behavioral Health is required to establish a dashboard to provide a public space for opioid settlement data.
The Clark County Opioid Abatement Council in 2024 awarded grants to nine local organizations for a total amount of $956,889.
In 2025, the Abatement Council awarded $5.3 million in grants to seven recipients. Below are the 2025 grant amounts and a brief description of how they will be used.
- City of Vancouver Bridge Shelter Project: $2.75 million; Partial funding for construction of the Bridge Shelter, providing recovery support for individuals affected by opioid use.
- Clark County Jail Services: $1,1 million; Expansion of the Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Program to include prescription and recovery support services.
- Couve Collective: $101,708; Continued support for the Couve Opiate Response Effort including naloxone distribution, case management, and a dedicated communication line for participants.
- ESD 112: $338,405; Collaborative projects with local schools for opioid prevention education, safe storage initiatives, medication disposal coordination, and naloxone access improvement.
- Recovery Café Clark County: $400,000; Enhancement of services including new recovery coaches and training for peer workers in collaboration with emergency responders and community courts.
- Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health: $410,794; Support for the Narcan vending machine project, aiming to improve accessibility to opioid overdose reversal medication.
- Vancouver Public Schools: $199,663; Establishment of a Prevention/Intervention Specialist to focus on early intervention and prevention in elementary schools.