Drugs laced with fentanyl sit on a table before a press conference with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Houston.Millions of settlement dollars from pharmaceutical companies will go to Houston programs addressing the health impact ofSince 2021, Texas has secured more than $150 million in legal settlements from opioid manufacturers, pharmaceutical distributors and other companies over their alleged role in fueling the opioid crisis in the United States.
Houston City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to set up a special account, the Houston Opioid Abatement Fund, to use $2.2 million the city has received to date, as well as any future money it gets, for programs aimed at opioid prevention, treatment and recovery.
“The state of Texas will receive funds associated with opioid abatement settlements over the next 18 years,” she said. “The city of Houston will receive a portion of this allocation, and the funds will be used in support of the city’s efforts to mitigate the public health impact of opioids in the community at large.”due to the opioid crisis, primarily driven by fentanyl.