South Dakota Allocates $7.8M from Opioid Settlement to Combat Addiction

Funds will support mobile clinics, addiction treatment training, and recovery coaching for incarcerated individuals.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:09am

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A translucent X-ray photograph of a human hand reaching out, rendered in muted tones of blue, grey, and white, conceptually representing the need for compassionate, holistic addiction treatment and recovery support.Opioid settlement funds will enable South Dakota to expand access to vital addiction treatment and recovery services across the state.Sioux Falls Today

The state of South Dakota has awarded $7.8 million from a nationwide opioid settlement to fund a range of initiatives aimed at combating the opioid crisis. The money will go towards establishing a mobile street medicine clinic, providing addiction treatment training for primary care doctors, and offering recovery coaching for incarcerated individuals and recent inmates. Additional funds will support a mobile crisis team on the Cheyenne River Reservation, expand addiction treatment for juveniles and pregnant women, and fund substance use interventionists for the Sioux Falls School District.

Why it matters

The opioid epidemic has devastated many communities across the country, leading to spikes in addiction and overdose deaths. This settlement funding represents an important opportunity for South Dakota to invest in a comprehensive approach to address the crisis, targeting key gaps in treatment and services for those affected by opioid use disorder.

The details

The $7.8 million in awards are part of the state's 'transformative' grants program, which provides up to $2 million each for large-scale projects. This latest round of funding follows an initial $1.8 million in grants awarded since the start of the state's fiscal year in July. The state has also offered smaller grants of up to $50,000 and $5,000 to address immediate needs. The Department of Social Services and an Opioid Advisory Committee are responsible for selecting the projects, prioritizing those that fill known gaps in treatment and services and demonstrate sustainability and measurable outcomes.

  • The state of South Dakota is expected to receive about $99 million in opioid settlement funds through 2038, with $32.8 million collected so far.
  • The latest $7.8 million in awards were announced on Thursday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Larry Rhoden

Republican Governor of South Dakota.

Matt Althoff

Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Social Services.

Face It Together

A Sioux Falls nonprofit that offers in-person addiction recovery coaching to people in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Watertown, and virtual coaching to clients anywhere in or outside the state.

Megan Colwell

Director of Face It Together.

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What they’re saying

“We have both an opportunity and an obligation to invest these dollars wisely and in a way that makes a real difference in our communities.”

— Larry Rhoden, Governor of South Dakota

“We're coaching them in the incarceration setting, building that trust, building some of the core skills that will help them be more successful.”

— Megan Colwell, Director of Face It Together

What’s next

The state has nearly completed a more thorough statewide needs assessment, paid for by $325,000 from the settlement, which will help inform future funding decisions.

The takeaway

This settlement funding represents a critical opportunity for South Dakota to take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to addressing the opioid crisis, targeting key gaps in treatment and services and investing in initiatives that have the potential to make a lasting impact on individuals and communities affected by substance use disorders.