In a significant move to confront the ongoing opioid epidemic, Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday announced a $130.7 million investment in opioid settlement funds aimed at expanding life-saving harm reduction services and creating new support systems for New Jersey families.
The announcement, which reinforces the state’s comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to addiction, allocates the bulk of the funding to community-based initiatives that meet individuals where they are on their recovery journey.
This latest allocation builds on New Jersey’s commitment to combat a crisis that has tragically claimed thousands of lives across the state. The funding is a direct result of the nationwide settlement agreements with opioid manufacturers and distributors, holding them accountable for their role in fueling the public health emergency. With New Jersey and its local governments set to receive over $1 billion in these funds over the next two decades, this investment represents a major step in the strategic plan to utilize these resources effectively.
“With today’s investment, we are infusing critical, life-saving resources into our communities most affected by the opioid crisis,” Murphy said. “Over the course of my Administration, we have pursued a whole-of-government approach to reducing the devastating impacts of the opioid crisis, with a focus on empowering community-based resources to save lives, support sustained recovery, and uplift those struggling with substance addictions.”
A substantial portion of the funding—$118.7 million over the next five and a half years—is designated for the continued expansion of Harm Reduction Centers (HRCs). These centers have become a cornerstone of the state’s strategy, offering non-stigmatizing, trauma-informed spaces where people who use drugs can access sterile syringes, naloxone (a life-saving overdose reversal medication), and other supplies. Beyond harm reduction, these centers serve as a critical bridge to broader health care, treatment for opioid use disorder, and assistance with basic needs.
According to the recent New Jersey Department of Health’s Biennial Report, the state’s efforts to streamline the process for becoming an authorized HRC have been remarkably successful, increasing the number of designated sites from just seven to 55. As of today, 45 of these sites are actively operating, with the newly announced funding poised to help bring the remaining sites online and expand their services. This historic investment in harm reduction infrastructure is a clear signal of the state’s data-driven approach to tackling the epidemic.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative for New Jersey, $12 million will be distributed over three years to small, hyper-local nonprofits and businesses that provide support to families and loved ones affected by substance use disorder. This funding will support a range of community-driven activities, including bereavement groups, counseling, peer networks, and prevention programs. Capacity-building grants ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 will be made available, recognizing the vital role these grassroots organizations play in the long-term recovery and healing of communities.
“Often, the loved ones of individuals struggling with addiction are left to cope in silence, navigating uncertainty and stigma with little support,” Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, who chairs the New Jersey Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council, said. “This funding… recognizes the vital role families play not only in healing but in prevention and recovery. We are making a deliberate investment in the organizations that provide a lifeline.”
The Advisory Council, established by Murphy, is responsible for making recommendations for the effective use of the settlement funds. Its five-year Strategic Plan, released in June, identifies four key investment areas: housing, harm reduction, treatment, and coordinated wraparound services. Today’s announcement directly aligns with the plan’s priorities, particularly its emphasis on scaling up proven harm reduction models and creating a robust network of community-based support.
By strategically channeling these settlement funds into expanding access to evidence-based care and providing a lifeline to families, New Jersey is doubling down on a compassionate, public health-focused response to the opioid crisis. The new funding promises to save lives, prevent the spread of disease, and build more resilient communities, offering a path forward for those grappling with addiction and its devastating ripple effects.
