A Mesa nonprofit that cares for newborns withdrawing from opioids is receiving a boost from the city’s first round of opioid settlement funding, and Jacob’s Hope will get the largest grant in a youth-focused initiative aimed at tackling the opioid crisis.
“We serve so many Mesa residents. We couldn’t be more aligned with what this funding is intended for," said Lyndsey Steele, associate director of Jacob's Hope.
Mesa is awarding more than $1 million to local nonprofits through its new opioid settlement community grant program. The funds come from national legal settlements with drug makers and pharmacy chains. Mesa, which has received $4.5 million so far, expects to receive up to $22 million over 18 years.
Disbursement will start in July, according to a spokesperson for the city. Each recipient can request up to 50% of the funds upfront, the spokesperson said.
The city is receiving over 6% of the county’s total allocation, making it the second highest paid out municipality, behind Phoenix.
Companies currently distributing settlement funds to Arizona include Walgreens, CVS, Allergan, Walmart, Mallinckrodt, Endo, Purdue, Distributor Group and Teva.
Jacob’s Hope will receive more than $300,000. But Steele says it’s been a long, frustrating wait.
“Although we felt hopeful at first, it was devastating to see the months, and months, and months go by with nothing happening – knowing there’s funding available but no way to access it," she said.
The city’s grant program prioritizes youth services like early intervention, treatment and education. More than 300 youth overdoses have occurred in the city since 2018, according to the Mesa Fire and Medical Department.
A city spokesperson said 26 organizations were eligible for funding, but only seven groups were selected.
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