Alabama Has Secured More Than $744 Million in Opioid Settlements and Is Putting Funds to Work
Alabama has secured more than $744 million through opioid litigation, creating substantial funding for prevention, treatment and recovery efforts across the state. Prince Glover Hayes has been part of that work alongside Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and co-counsel Beasley Allen, with partner Josh Hayes appointed as a Deputy Attorney General.
One of the major results came in 2024, when the legal team secured a $220 million settlement in Montgomery County Circuit Court against opioid distributors Cardinal Health and Cencora, formerly known as AmerisourceBergen.
“Alabama and her citizens have been damaged immensely by the opioid epidemic,” PGH partner and Deputy Attorney General Josh Hayes said at the time. “Our firm is honored to have played a key role in this important litigation and hopes that this result will bring the recovery and healing that our communities need.”
As settlement funds continue to be distributed, Alabama is directing those resources toward programs designed to address the lasting effects of the opioid crisis.
How Alabama is using opioid settlement funds
The Alabama Legislature created the Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds in 2023. After conducting four public hearings, the collaborative effort resulted in a statewide plan guiding the use of settlement funds through legislative appropriations and the Opioid Settlement Grant Program. Grants from this fund have led to some positive outcomes. Figures reported in 2025 included:
- 6,898 individuals served;
- 4,094 individual treatment services provided;
- 1,252 Narcan kits distributed;
- 1,000 fentanyl test strips distributed;
- 13 pounds of medication collected; and
- 83 coaching events.
A second round of funding supported various initiatives, like Alabama’s 988 Crisis Line, a veterans pilot program, mental health courts, and more prevention and recovery programs.
In 2025, $41 million was allocated to continue these efforts. And $3 million was earmarked for these higher education institutions:
- University of Alabama at Birmingham: $1 million for psychiatry residencies focusing on substance abuse in Montgomery and Huntsville
- Auburn University: $1 million to expand the School of Pharmacy and its K-12 substance abuse education program
- University of South Alabama Health: $1 million to train primary care providers in screening for opioid dependency
Funding has continued in 2026. Alabama appropriated more than $43.1 million from the Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The funding includes support for prevention, treatment and recovery grants, Alabama’s 988 Crisis Line, naloxone, residential detox services and other opioid-related programs across the state.
To increase public awareness, the state also launched the “Opioids Take” campaign, featuring a website, billboards, and educational materials highlighting available treatment and prevention resources.
Additional resources are being provided to help officers identify and respond to addiction-related issues.
Supporting Alabama veterans
The Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee has also been established to support veterans dealing with substance abuse and mental health challenges to help make sure they receive the care and assistance they need.
That work has continued through veteran-focused mental health pilot programs supported by opioid settlement funds. The programs are designed to expand access to behavioral health services for Alabama veterans and their families.
With these comprehensive measures, Alabama aims to curb opioid addiction, support recovery efforts, and protect its veteran population.
Says Representative Rex Reynolds, “The bottom line is that the Legislature is working hard to maximize the impact of these dollars. One outcome that I’m so proud of is Alabama’s reduction in overdoses, which I largely attribute to the distribution of Narcan and access to services.”
Prince Glover Hayes is proud to have contributed to this success, supporting initiatives prioritizing prevention, treatment, and lasting recovery. With more than $744 million now secured through Alabama’s opioid litigation, settlement funds continue to support efforts addressing the effects of the opioid epidemic across the state.
To learn more about Prince Glover Hayes, contact us today for a free consultation.