Press Release: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley Releases 2025 Opioid Settlement Fund Annual Report

Mayor Brett P. Smiley and the Providence Department of Housing and Human Services today released the City’s first Annual Opioid Settlement Fund Report, providing a transparent accounting of how the Smiley Administration invested settlement funding to prevent overdoses, expand treatment access and strengthen resources during 2025.

The report provides a transparent accounting of funded projects, expenditures and measurable outcomes under the City’s Overdose Prevention Strategy. In 2025, Providence invested more than $1.2 million in community-led opioid abatement efforts, supporting 14 projects implemented in partnership with 10 community-based organizations.

“Every dollar must be invested responsibly, transparently and in ways that directly support the people and families most affected by the overdose crisis,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “This first annual report demonstrates how Providence is partnering with trusted community organizations to save lives, remove barriers to treatment and help our neighbors build lasting stability. We will continue listening to those with lived experience, measuring our progress and investing in approaches that meet people where they are.”

Collectively, programs supported through the fund reached more than 3,000 people, connected over 1,000 individuals to additional care, treatment, housing and recovery supports, and provided more than 625 housing supports and housing-related services. The programs also trained more than 635 people in naloxone administration and overdose response, supported 461 people with recovery services and peer support, met 4,208 basic needs such as food, transportation and communication access, and trained, certified or hired more than 100 members of the behavioral health workforce.

“The results we are witnessing across Providence reflect the power of meeting people where they are and investing in programs that respond to their needs,” said Human Services Division Director, Dr. Rachel Ferrara. “Whether someone needs immediate overdose prevention resources, stable housing, peer support, transportation or a connection to treatment, our community partners are providing compassion and support without judgment. We will continue listening to residents, evaluating outcomes and improving coordination so these investments have the greatest possible impact.”

Investments from the settlement fund supported recovery housing through the Amos House, flexible mini-grants for people entering or maintaining treatment through Project Weber/RENEW, services for individuals returning to the community after incarceration through Amos House, culturally responsive pathways to recovery and structured substance-free programming for Providence youth through The Boys and Girls Club of Providence.

Other initiatives highlighted in the report provided by the East Bay Community Action Program include mobile outreach, overdose education and naloxone distribution services. The program served 1,458 individuals through 3,507 encounters, distributed 2,978 doses of naloxone and provided 3,360 basic needs supports.

The report also details investments in Project Weber/RENEW’s state-sanctioned Overdose Prevention Center. The center enrolled 760 unique individuals, recorded 8,680 visits and provided 518 referrals to treatment and supportive services. Staff conducted 182 overdose or overamping interventions, with only two incidents requiring Emergency Medical Services.

In September of 2023, Providence launched its Overdose Prevention Strategy. The strategy organizes the City’s work around five priorities: promotion, prevention, rescue and harm reduction, treatment and recovery. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2025, the City implemented a formal spending framework emphasizing transparency, equity, community partnerships and long-term impact.

Through the 18-year opioid settlement period, Providence is expected to receive approximately $10 million. In 2025, the City allocated approximately $1.63 million, encumbered approximately $1.26 million and spent approximately $1.12 million. The report includes project-level financial information and outcomes for each funded initiative.

“While this report marks an important milestone, it is only the beginning,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “We will continue working to reduce overdose risk, remove barriers to care and build a healthier, safer and more resilient Providence.”