Mesa Plans $3 Million in Initial Opioid-Settlement Spending; $1 Million Set for Community Grants and $1 Million for Prevention Campaign

Mesa staff presented proposed uses of opioid-settlement funds at the May 29 study session, recommending an initial phase focused on prevention, public-safety support and community grants. The city has received $4.5 million to date under the statewide opioid settlements and is proposing to allocate $3 million in the near term: $1 million for a citywide education and outreach campaign focused on youth, $1 million for public-safety opioid-related initiatives, and $1 million for a community-grants program to fund nonprofit prevention, treatment and recovery services that serve Mesa residents.

Lindsay Balenke, deputy director of community services, said settlement funds flow from national settlements into Arizona, then to Maricopa County; Mesa’s share of the county distribution is 6.06 percent. Balenke said the county has provided a needs assessment and that Mesa staff coordinated with the county and regional stakeholders to avoid duplicating services.

Diana Lopez, a city human‑services coordinator, described the community‑grants process. Staff opened a notice of funding availability in February, received 27 applications and invited 26 eligible applicants to present in April; total requests exceeded $4 million. Lopez said staff are recommending funding for programs in three focus areas: neonatal care, school‑based prevention and community‑based prevention and recovery services. Recommended awards (one‑year grants) include Jacobs Hope ($215,000) and Hushaby Nursery ($100,000) for neonatal-family supports; Community Bridges ($193,226) and The Be Kind Project ($15,000) for school‑based resiliency programs; and Big Brothers Big Sisters ($100,000), Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley ($83,862) and Not My Kid ($100,000) for community‑based programming. Lopez said awards were selected for alignment with stated priorities, existing capacity and geographic coverage across Mesa.

On prevention and outreach, staff described a planned digital education campaign targeted at K–12 students, parents and postsecondary audiences using existing platforms and partnerships with Mesa Public Schools, Mesa community colleges, Benedictine and Arizona State University. Staff said they would develop age‑appropriate digital content over the summer and aim to launch in fall 2025.

For public safety, staff said Mesa Police Department plans to purchase a drug incinerator and a body scanner and is exploring other options; specific public‑safety program details will be returned to council when available. Lopez said the grants will be one‑year awards, agencies were informed they cannot assume continued funding beyond the contract term, and staff will require reporting to measure outcomes. Council members emphasized the importance of evaluation, Narcan availability and coordination with schools and colleges; staff said Narcan distribution and training are already integrated into some programs and that Mesa Fire Medical and police carry Narcan operationally.

Staff requested council direction to proceed with the recommended awards and for a June 2 resolution to authorize distribution of funds to the nonprofit grantees; contracts would be executed in June if council approves.