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Henry County approves $1.2 million opioid-abatement grant and joins remnant opioid settlement
Summary
The Henry County Board of Supervisors approved a $1,197,347 opioid-abatement grant to fund a three-year regional crisis response project and unanimously voted to participate in a multidefendant remnant opioid settlement, directing officials to execute settlement documents.
Henry County supervisors on April 28 approved a $1,197,347 award from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority to expand regional support for people experiencing mental-health and substance-use emergencies and voted to participate in proposed remnant opioid settlements.
County Administrator Dale Wagoner told the Board the grant makes Henry County the fiscal agent for a regional project that includes Franklin County, Patrick County, Martinsville City and Piedmont Community Services. Wagoner said Piedmont Community Services will manage most aspects of the three-year program and that the grant requires no local match.
"The funding will expand support capacity for individuals experiencing mental-health and substance-abuse-related emergencies," Wagoner said.
On the same day, the Board unanimously approved a motion to participate in proposed settlement claims against six remnant defendants in opioid litigation and directed the County Attorney and County Administrator to execute the necessary documents. The motion to approve settlement participation was made by Supervisor Travis Pruitt and seconded by Supervisor Garrett Dillard; the vote was recorded as unanimous.
Why this matters: opioid-abatement funds and settlements are intended to support treatment, response and prevention programs in communities affected by the opioid crisis. In Henry County’s case, the regional approach means grant oversight will be coordinated with neighboring jurisdictions and a regional behavioral-health provider.
What’s next: the Board approved the appropriation and the settlement participation at the April 28 meeting; program management will be handled by Piedmont Community Services, and staff will carry out the administrative steps required to implement the grant-funded project and finalize settlement documents.
