Mobile Allocates $2 Million To Opioid Crisis Projects

Through a partnership with the Helios Alliance, the City of Mobile has completed a pioneering process to distribute $2.2 million to multiple organizations fighting the opioid crisis in Mobile. In 2024, the city enlisted the Alliance to develop a process for soliciting and evaluating proposals from local organizations combating opioid abuse and addiction. Over several months, the Alliance and an evaluation committee of community stakeholders thoroughly reviewed 32 applications seeking funding derived from previous lawsuits the City of Mobile filed against opioid manufacturers and distributors. Of the submitted applications, the Alliance and its evaluation committee recommended 16 proposals to the Mobile City Council, which unanimously approved them. This unique initiative will support programs focused on four critical areas: opioid use disorder treatment, prevention, survival programs, and communication and coordination. By utilizing system dynamics modeling and an evaluation committee composed of various community leaders, the Alliance created a data-driven approach to allocating the city’s funds.