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El Paso County details opioid‑response grants and early program results
Summary
County criminal justice officials briefed commissioners on a $1.6 million federal grant and other opioid‑related funding, reporting 209 unduplicated participants, 663 referrals and 426 rides provided to treatment and court in the program's first 90 days.
County officials told the commissioners court that a multi‑partner opioid response program launched in October 2025 and is showing early reach while relying on grant funding rather than general‑fund dollars.
"We have our $1,600,000 BJA comprehensive opioid stimulant and substance use program," Criminal Justice Director Catherine Jones said, describing federal and state grant streams that the county is using to expand medication access, peer recovery supports and transportation.
Program coordinator Dr. Leslie Bomba presented quantitative outcomes from the program's initial months: 209 unduplicated participants served, more than 663 referrals, and 426 rideshares provided for treatment, court appointments and recovery support activities. Bomba emphasized the program's service components — medical and behavioral health, peer recovery support, and a transportation/rideshare component that ensures clients reach appointments.
Jones described county opioid settlement and abatement dollars available to the court and noted recent allocations used for Narcan purchases and local partnerships. She said the county received settlement funds in 2023 ($813,721.16) and in 2025 ($772,287.43) and that additional grant awards are pending. Jones also said a recent $129,829 Texas opioid abatement allocation will be passed through to Recovery Alliance and the county has a pending $649,145 grant application.
Panelists emphasized fiscal stewardship: Jones and Bomba said most current activity has been funded by grants, not by the county general fund, and urged the court to consider options for expanding treatment access with settlement funds. "Everything we have done has been through grants," Jones said, adding that the program's outreach shows substantial local demand.
Commissioners asked for recommendations on how to allocate settlement funding; staff said they will bring a focused proposal to the court. Speakers described the county program as coordinated with community partners (Centro San Vicente, Alebriani, Recovery Alliance) and committed to expanding transportation and medication‑assisted treatment if further grant funding is awarded.
