Overton County now accepting applications for grant funding to support local organizations dedicated to fighting addiction.
Overton County Opioid Chairperson Donna Savage said the application window remains open through noon on Tuesday. Savage said the funding originates from lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies that profited from the widespread distribution of opioid prescriptions.
“We just want the word out there so whoever wants to apply, now it has to be an Overton County, whatever organization that applies for this grant money, the opioid grant money, they have to have a facility here in Overton County and work with the drug treatment programs,” Savage said. “And we want just the word out there so we can spread the love to everybody who wants this opportunity.”
Savage said the primary objective for the settlement funds is to establish long-term goals that help residents maintain a life free from opioid addiction.
“This money helps treatment programs to have services to help them move on in their life, to know that you don’t need drugs to take care of your problems,” Savage said. “It helps with psychiatrists, it helps with going to classes. It just helps them in so many ways that regular people, regular common people don’t have the money and the resources for that.”
Savage said the grant money has previously supported various entities including Hope Center Ministries, CASA, and the Stephens Center. Savage said the board prioritizes programs that address the needs of children and families who are often the secondary victims of a parent’s drug use.
“So many people want to clean their life up, they just don’t have the money to do it,” Savage said. “And this helps a lot of people that does not have the money to do it, do it.”
Savage said a board of five commissioners reviews every application to ensure the requested funds are used for drug-related purposes. Savage said the county consults with an advisor in Nashville to verify that each selected organization and its specific proposal qualify under the settlement guidelines.
Savage said the board holds meetings where the public is encouraged to speak and applicants can explain how they intend to utilize the funding. Savage said the board remains focused on gaining control over the opioid crisis and seeing positive outcomes emerge from the settlement.
“I think the board just wants to help fight the drug addiction and get the opioid crisis under control,” Savage said. “I just want to see the good out of the bad that come from this.”
Savage said interested organizations can pick up and submit their applications at the Overton County Executive’s Office located within the County Services Building.
