Haywood County has made significant progress in implementing its opioid settlement funding by establishing a strong foundation for long-term opioid abatement efforts. In the fall of 2025, the county formed its Opioid Abatement Committee to assess community needs, evaluate evidence-based strategies and develop recommendations for the use of settlement funds.
This spring, the Haywood County Commission approved its first opioid abatement funding resolution, marking an important milestone in the county's commitment to addressing the opioid crisis through collaborative, community-driven investments.
The approved resolution provides funding to United Way to strengthen community partnerships and resource coordination; Haywood County Recovery Court to support recovery-focused programming; Haywood County Sheriff's Department to enhance local opioid response efforts; Brownsville States-Graphic/Brownsville Radio for public awareness initiatives; and the Haywood County Opioid Council to continue coordinating countywide opioid abatement initiatives.
By establishing a thoughtful planning process and investing across prevention, recovery, public awareness and public safety, Haywood County is demonstrating how local collaboration can create a comprehensive and sustainable approach to opioid abatement.
To see other examples of county opioid settlement innovations and contact the UT SMART Initiative staff, please visit their website at smart.tennessee.edu.