While the primary role of public schools is to support academic growth in reading, math, and history, while also fostering an appreciation for the arts and world cultures, our schools are also great places for prevention work. SFSD is a proud recipient of a $1 Million grant from SD’s portion of the opioid settlement to add four substance use interventionists.
The grant supports prevention education positions that are not able to be funded through the General Fund budget.
Our students will be better equipped to avoid the pressures of harmful drugs thanks to this grant!
South Dakota’s opioid settlement dollars come from legal settlements with pharmaceutical companies that played a role in the opioid crisis. Since South Dakota began accepting applications in late 2025, more than $10 million in opioid settlement funding has been awarded in 2026.
Recommendations for strategic uses of the settlement funds are made by the Opioid Advisory Committee to the Department of Social Services (DSS) and Department of Health. DSS administers the state’s share of the South Dakota Opioid Abatement and Remediation Fund.
“These projects will fill identified gaps in the resources available for those who are struggling with addiction or who are at risk of opioid misuse,” said DSS Cabinet Secretary Matt Althoff. “Awardees will be required to track outcomes, and that data will demonstrate whether access gaps have been filled for South Dakotans needing assistance.”