States across the Gulf South are receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from opioid lawsuit settlements meant to address addiction and recovery. Yet advocates say the pace of spending has been slow, leaving families still searching for treatment, housing, and support.
Alyson Koenig knows that gap firsthand. She lost her husband to an overdose and now works to rebuild life for her children while managing her own recovery. “It’s very, very traumatic,” she said, recalling the day her family changed forever.
Impact of the Opioid Crisis on Children and Families
The opioid crisis reaches far beyond the person using drugs. Since 2000, more than 800,000 Americans have died from overdoses, leaving children and relatives to rebuild daily life. Many families suddenly face grief, instability, and the hard work of raising kids alone.
Alyson Koenig still remembers the moment everything changed. She found her husband after he overdosed while their children were nearby. “I look over, and I see my children watching it too,” she said. “It’s very traumatic,” she explained, recalling that day.
Across Mississippi, the ripple effects appear in child welfare data. More than 40% of children entering foster care do so because of parental substance use. Many others end up living with grandparents, creating what researchers now call grandfamilies across communities.
How Opioid Settlement Funds Are Being Distributed
The opioid settlements brought large sums to states after lawsuits against drug manufacturers and distributors. Mississippi is expected to receive more than $400 million. The funds were designed to expand treatment access and support communities affected by addiction.
State officials divided the money into three categories. Under this structure, 70% must be used to address the opioid crisis through programs chosen by lawmakers. Another 15% can be spent at their discretion, while the remaining 15% goes directly to cities and counties.
So far, most of the largest portion has not been spent. Public records reviewed by reporters show many local governments still holding the funds or using them for unrelated purchases. Less than 1% has supported addiction programs or family services.
Debate Over How Settlement Funds Should Be Used
Advocates across the region argue that the settlement money should directly support recovery and family stability. Brenda Foster, a nurse navigator with the Mississippi State Department of Health, said the needs are clear. “We need a lot more resources,” she said.
Foster explained that barriers often prevent people from staying in treatment. Reliable transportation, safe transitional housing, childcare, and trained staff remain limited in many communities. Addressing those practical gaps, she said, would help many families remain stable during recovery.
Other states have begun using settlement funds to target these issues directly. Colorado expanded childcare options for parents in treatment, while Michigan created hospital programs allowing newborns exposed to drugs to remain with their mothers during recovery.
Endnote
Across the Gulf South, lawmakers now face growing pressure to decide how settlement money should be used. Advocates say the stakes are clear. Families affected by addiction are asking for treatment access, housing support, and programs that help parents remain with their children.
Recovery advocate James Moore, who lost his son to overdose, said those most affected should help guide decisions. “We did not hear from the general public,” he said. Many community leaders believe upcoming legislative choices will shape recovery efforts.