Norfolk approves $500,000 opioid-abatement grant to expand Operation STOP

The Norfolk City Council voted to accept and appropriate grant funds up to $500,000 from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority to support the Operation STOP Norfolk City project.

Jasmine Garcia, community coordinator for the Norfolk Department of Public Health and lead for the Norfolk Opioid Coalition, told the council the grant would “allow us to expand our prevention, outreach, and recovery support efforts, strengthen community partnerships, and provide resources that help individuals and families find hope and healing.”

Garcia said the program will target overdose reduction, education and awareness, and the development of a sustainable prevention and recovery framework for the city. “Every dollar will be used intentionally to create impact, which will support those that are most affected by the opioid crisis and helping our city move towards resilience and recovery,” she said. Garcia also reported a local decrease in overdoses since 2023 and credited outreach efforts for a “50% decrease.”

Barrett Hicks, president of the Concerned Citizens Association, told the council he supported the grant and praised the involvement of city and health department staff. The council adopted the ordinance accepting the grant on a roll call vote (Clanton: Aye; Doyle: Aye; Johnson: Aye; McGee: Aye; Page: Aye; Smigiel: Aye; Thomas: Aye; Alexander: Aye).

The appropriation will be added to the FY2026 annual grants plan and authorizes the city manager to execute required grant documents if and when the funds are received. The ordinance text states the appropriation is contingent on receipt of the grant funds from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority.

Implementation details such as program staffing, procurement steps, or timeline for initial spending were not specified during the meeting.