Police Jury Grants the First Round of Opioid Abatement Grants

Feb. 12, 2026The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury has approved the first round of awards through its Opioid Abatement Grant Program, awarding $1 million in grant funds received through the National Opioid Settlement.

At its Feb. 5 Regular Meeting, the Police Jury adopted a resolution approving Cooperative Endeavor Agreements between the Police Jury and multiple local entities to carry out projects aimed at preventing opioid misuse, expanding access to treatment, supporting recovery, and reducing opioid-related harm across Calcasieu Parish.

In Dec. 2023, the Police Jury established an Opioid Working Group to guide the parish’s local response to the Opioid crisis. In April 2024, an independent, third-party Opioid Impact Survey was launched to gather input from residents, service providers, and stakeholders. The survey, along with focus groups and additional community outreach, helped identify priority areas for funding and shaped the development of the parish’s Opioid Abatement Grant Program.

“This process was intentional and community-driven from the very beginning,” said Police Jury President Brian Abshire. “We didn’t want to simply distribute funds. We wanted to make sure these dollars were used in ways that directly reflect the needs of Calcasieu Parish and make a comprehensive and measurable impact.”

The following entities were approved to receive this round of Opioid Abatement Grant funding:

• AppleGate Health Services
• Calcasieu Parish Public Defender’s Office
• Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office
• Imperial Calcasieu Human Service Authority / Region V Office of Public Health
• Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana
• McNeese State University
• McNeese State University Foundation
• Project Trey Recovery Café
• SWLA Do No Harm / Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center
• Unity Psychiatry
• Ward 4 Marshal’s Office

In June 2025, the Opioid Abatement Grant Program announced a call for projects, which was the initial step in determining eligibility for full grant applications. The program was made available to organizations, agencies, and service providers offering programs focused on primary prevention, evidence-based treatment, harm reduction, recovery support, and other strategies designed to reduce opioid-related issues in the parish.

The funding stems from proceeds received from a national settlement with pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and retailers related to the marketing, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of pharmaceutical opioids. These funds are specifically designated to support opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts at the local level.

The Police Jury will continue to monitor the progress of funded projects and evaluate future opportunities to invest settlement funding in initiatives that address the ongoing impact of the opioid crisis in Calcasieu Parish.