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City official outlines plan for opioid settlement funds, Narcan expansion ahead of council approval
Summary
Jessie Heckens, the city’s opioid settlement funds official, told the Community Health Committee that overdose deaths have fallen nationally since 2023 and described a spending plan prioritizing treatment, recovery and harm reduction, including expanded Narcan distribution; the city says it has received roughly $2.9 million to date and expects about $6.1 million in total funds.
Jessie Heckens, the official overseeing San Antonio’s opioid settlement funds, told the Community Health Committee that national fatal overdoses began trending downward in 2023 and reviewed local and state overdose data, spending to date and next steps for the city’s proposed plan.
Heckens said the state has secured about $1.6 billion in resources for opioid response and that the city is anticipating roughly $6.1 million from settlement proceeds, of which about $2.9 million has already been received; remaining payments are expected through 2026. She described priority uses as recovery and treatment services, harm-reduction strategies including Narcan distribution, training and anti-stigma education, and a multi-year plan for public reporting on how the city spends the funds.
"Estamos viéndola ... de sobredosis local, vamos a ver los gastos y los siguientes pasos," Heckens said, summarizing the committee presentation and the department’s intent to coordinate services across city, county and state providers. She emphasized multi-substance approaches and noted that local stimulant (methamphetamine) overdoses are particularly high in the county compared with statewide and national lines.
During public comment and Q&A, speakers urged coordination with shelters and community providers, asked for the 2025 mortality figures when they are finalized by the CDC, and pressed staff to avoid duplicating county services. Councilmember Alderete Gabito asked when 2025 data would be available; staff said CDC data for 2025 are expected to be finalized by late spring and requested the committee be provided those numbers when released.
Heckens said contracts to implement expanded Narcan distribution and other services are expected to come to the City Council next week for approval. No formal votes on settlement spending were taken at the committee meeting.
The committee asked staff to provide the 2025 mortality data to members when it is available and requested follow-up on overlap with county and state programs. The city’s opioid plan will return to council for formal action as procurement and contract items are finalized.
