(SOUTHERN COLORADO) — The Region 16 Opioid Abatement Council, which represents El Paso and Teller Counties is looking for local entities to fund projects that combat the opioid epidemic.

According to El Paso County, 133 people died from opioid overdoses in El Paso and Teller counties in 2022, nearly doubling the number of deaths in motor vehicle crashes during the same time.

Funding for these projects comes from the $26 billion national settlement with manufacturers of prescription opioids and major pharmaceutical distributors, according to El Paso County. The region is set to receive $66,016,912 from the settlement to address gaps and opportunities in prevention, treatment, and recovery services for people with opioid use disorder, as well as other substance use disorders and mental illnesses in the area.

The funding will be distributed in phases over the next 17 years, for the first phase $4,498,650 will be distributed by the 14-member Council with input from non-voting members. The Council is looking to distribute funds to the following types of programs.

Youth Prevention – $1,730,250

Community Prevention Education and Awareness – $692,100

MAT/MOUD – $354,701

Recovery Supports and Transitions – $1,384,200

Family Advocates – $337,398

“The Region 16 Opioid Abatement Council is committed to ensuring these dollars are used to get help directly to people who need it most in Teller and El Paso Counties,” said Michael Allen, District Attorney for the 4th Judicial District and Region 16 ROAC Chair. “These funds represent a significant opportunity to support innovative ideas to combat the opioid epidemic at the local level, and we encourage all eligible organizations to apply.”