Salem City Council to Consider $250K for Opioid Treatment Program

Funds would support a new pilot shelter and recovery program at Redwood Crossings

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Salem City Council will consider authorizing the use of $250,000 in opioid settlement funding to establish an opioid treatment and recovery program at Redwood Crossings, a 31-unit supportive housing development. The program would provide support for substance abuse, mental health, housing, transportation, childcare, education, and employment. Councilors will also discuss a drawdown of the Detroit Reservoir, a recent survey on safety and livability, and $2.4 million in costs from a December windstorm.

Why it matters

The opioid crisis has deeply impacted the Salem community, and this new program represents an effort to direct settlement funds towards evidence-based treatment and recovery services. The city is also working to address broader infrastructure and public safety concerns, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to improving quality of life for residents.

The details

The proposed opioid treatment and recovery program would be a pilot project run at the Redwood Crossings supportive housing development. It would provide a range of services to help those struggling with substance abuse, including mental health support, housing assistance, transportation, childcare, education, and employment. The $250,000 in funding comes from the city's share of a nationwide opioid settlement. Councilors will also discuss the upcoming drawdown of the Detroit Reservoir, which could impact the city's water supply, as well as the results of a recent survey on safety and livability perceptions, and costs from a major December windstorm.

  • The Salem City Council will consider the opioid treatment program proposal at their meeting on Monday, February 23, 2026.
  • The drawdown of the Detroit Reservoir is expected to start later this year.
  • The December 16-20, 2025 windstorm caused an estimated $2.4 million in damage to Salem's public infrastructure.

The players

Salem City Council

The governing body of the city of Salem, Oregon, responsible for authorizing the use of opioid settlement funds and other municipal decisions.

Josh Eggleston

Salem's Chief Financial Officer, who provided a staff report on the opioid treatment program proposal and the city's recent financial audit.

Redwood Crossings

A 31-unit supportive housing development in Salem where the proposed opioid treatment and recovery program would be piloted.

Brian Martin

Salem's Public Works Director, who provided updates on the Detroit Reservoir drawdown and the December windstorm damage.

Courtney Knox Busch

Salem's Strategic Initiatives Manager, who presented the results of a recent survey on public safety and livability perceptions.

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What they’re saying

“The opioid crisis has deeply impacted the Salem community, and this new program represents an effort to direct settlement funds towards evidence-based treatment and recovery services.”

— Josh Eggleston, Salem Chief Financial Officer (salemreporter.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the city to move forward with the $250,000 opioid treatment program at Redwood Crossings.

The takeaway

Salem's comprehensive approach to addressing the opioid crisis, infrastructure challenges, and public safety concerns demonstrates the city's commitment to improving the overall quality of life for its residents through strategic investments and community-based solutions.