Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response invites the public to a one-hour virtual town hall to explore the best ways to use funds from the state’s prescription opioid settlements. The meeting takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 5:30 p.m.
This is one of five separate town halls — one for each region of Maryland, all of which are open to the public. The Aug. 4 meeting is for Central Maryland residents, which includes Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Harford County, and Carroll County. Registration is not required to attend, but anyone who would like to speak must complete the registration form at Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response website.
“Maryland has already cut fatal overdoses in half since their 2021 peak, and that’s because we’ve invested in services across the continuum of care that save lives,” said Lt. Governor Aruna Miller in a statement. “These settlement dollars are a limited window to build something that outlasts the crisis that created it. We know that the settlement dollars make a real difference when they’re transparent, evidence-based, and shaped by the communities living through this every day. That’s why we’re asking Marylanders directly: these town halls are how we make sure these investments serve the people who need it most.”
Maryland expects more than $687 million over the next 15 years through nine settlements, and over $90 million more once the Purdue Pharma settlement is finalized. Around 70% of those funds will be given to counties, cities, and towns that joined the state’s settlements with prescription opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retail pharmacies. The state controls the remaining 30% of funds, half of which must be distributed through competitive grants.
As of fiscal year 2025, Maryland has received approximately $245.8 million, $170 million of that having already gone out to counties, cities, and towns across the state.
“The Moore-Miller Administration believes wholeheartedly that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution,” said Emily Keller, Maryland Special Secretary of Overdose Response, in a statement. “Public input is essential for ensuring our overdose response efforts are as effective as possible. Every community has its own unique challenges, and we have to ensure that we consider those needs as we distribute settlement funds to help address the harms of the opioid and overdose crisis.”
In May 2026, Miller and Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response launched a new public dashboard showing residents how money from opioid settlements is being distributed and invested across the state. The goal is to raise public awareness, ensure transparency, and provide rigorous oversight of the use of settlement funds across the state. The dashboard also gives Marylanders a way to easily access plans for their own jurisdiction on how the funds will be used in their communities.
The schedule for the five town halls is listed below:
- Central Maryland: August 4, 2026 (5:30–6:30 pm)
Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Harford County, Carroll County - Capital Region: August 5, 2026 (5:30–6:30 pm)
Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Frederick County - Southern Maryland: August 5, 2026 (7–8 pm)
Calvert County, Charles County, St. Mary’s County - Western Maryland: August 6, 2026 (5:30–6:30 pm)
Washington County, Allegany County, Garrett County - Eastern Shore: August 6, 2026 (7–8 pm)
Cecil County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Talbot County, Caroline County, Dorchester County, Wicomico County, Somerset County, Worcester County
Links for viewing and signing up to speak at any of the five town halls are on Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response website.
