> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Opioid Settlement FIT Test - URL: https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-fit-test/ - Published: 2026-01-29T16:40:42.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-30T00:16:39.000Z - Description: 🏋️‍♀️ Do you even lift, bro? 🏋️‍♀️ - Author: Antonella Peterson - Tags: Opioid Settlement Money, WFAM [☕ Buy Tony a Coffee](https://ko-fi.com/tonypeterson) ## Background FIT stands for **F**unction**, I**mpact**, and T**rackability. It is a core element in our [OPI Opioid Settlement Policy Briefs](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/policy-brief-template/) and complements our [Opioid Settlement Quick Rules](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-quick-rules/). [Opioid Settlement Quick RulesProcess, process, process![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/96/d5/96d508b5-cdb3-41b4-8b42-c402c3098b68/content/images/icon/8bit-OPI-and-Opioid-Policy-Institute-500x500---square-tricolor-43.png)Opioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/96/d5/96d508b5-cdb3-41b4-8b42-c402c3098b68/content/images/thumbnail/winter-accountability-4.png)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-quick-rules/) [Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM) At its core, the **FIT Test** is a simple way to remind decision-makers to ***pause*** and ***check*** the fundamentals before making money moves. It's designed to support high-pressure, value-based decisions. We want to ensure settlement dollars stop this crisis and build healthier, more resilient communities. As always, we’re open to [feedback](https://opioidpolicy.fillout.com/contact-form)! ## Sign up for Opioid Policy Institute We're addressing issues that impact people affected by opioid addiction. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. # Opioid Settlement FIT Test ## ✅ **FUNCTIONAL** *Functional* opioid settlement spending addresses the causes of opioid-related deaths and disease. **To evaluate function**, examine whether the proposal solves a well-defined problem and accounts for real-world factors that influence both the problem and potential solutions. ### ❓ Decision-makers should ask *Will this spending reduce opioid-related deaths or disease? Where is the evidence?* ### 💡 Decision-makers should understand The opioid crisis is constantly evolving. Some problems from 2001 (or 1970) are different from the problems today. Others remain the same. Functional spending is not fighting yesterday's problem. Functional spending uses today’s solutions for today’s problems. 0:00 /0:58 1× ## ✅ **IMPACTFUL** *Impactful* opioid settlement spending prioritizes people directly affected by the opioid crisis. **To evaluate impact**, examine whether data or documented experience shows that the proposal reduces opioid-related death and disease among the most at-risk people. The people directly affected by the crisis (those with lived and living experience) can best speak to how impactful a spending decision will be. ### ❓ **Decision-makers should ask** *Who benefits? How do we know this spending reaches the people most impacted by the opioid crisis? How does the impact align with the costs?* 🧠 NB: **Impactful* does not mean **expensive*. ### 💡 Decision-makers should understand Opioid settlement money is available to decision-makers because of the severe impact of opioids in our community. Prioritize the needs of people most affected by the crisis. 0:00 /0:54 1× ## ✅ **TRACKABLE** *Trackable* opioid settlement spending must be transparent and measurable. **To evaluate trackability**, examine whether the decision-making process was meaningfully open to community input and whether the community can determine if the proposal achieved its goals. ### ❓ Decision-makers should ask *What metrics will show the spending is successful? Who tracks this? How are results reported to the community?* ### 💡 Decision-makers should understand Your community was negatively impacted by the opioid crisis. They deserve to know how the pain that resulted in the opioid settlement money is used to prevent further harm to their communities and help support healing. 0:00 /0:47 1× ## Why You Should Use the **FIT Test** Spending opioid settlement money is difficult. There are competing interests, heightened emotions, and urgent needs. The **FIT Test** cuts to the core of spending considerations by surfacing **Function**, **Impact**, and **Trackability** before money is committed. It gives everyone a shared framework for discussing complex spending decisions and focuses the conversation on what's likely to work and how we'll know if it did. ## One Last Thought Opioid settlement dollars are a rare opportunity for our communities to stop this crisis and improve health and well-being. The **FIT Test** helps ensure that opportunity isn’t wasted. [Support Our Work ❤️](https://donate.stripe.com/cN2g1p3jIdrw1W0cMM) **Have you seen waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanaged spending in your community?* **Report it to our database!* [Flag WFAM 🚨 ](https://opioidpolicy.org/osm-accountability) ## Related Writing [Opioid Settlement Quick RulesProcess, process, process![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/96/d5/96d508b5-cdb3-41b4-8b42-c402c3098b68/content/images/icon/8bit-OPI-and-Opioid-Policy-Institute-500x500---square-tricolor-42.png)Opioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/96/d5/96d508b5-cdb3-41b4-8b42-c402c3098b68/content/images/thumbnail/winter-accountability-3.png)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/opioid-settlement-quick-rules/) [New WFAM ResourcesPolicy Brief v1.0 + Town Hall (we turned it up to 11🤘)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/96/d5/96d508b5-cdb3-41b4-8b42-c402c3098b68/content/images/icon/8bit-OPI-and-Opioid-Policy-Institute-500x500---square-tricolor-40.png)Opioid Policy InstituteAntonella Peterson![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/96/d5/96d508b5-cdb3-41b4-8b42-c402c3098b68/content/images/thumbnail/policy-brief-winter.png)](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/policy-brief-template/) [Opioid Policy Institute](https://news.opioidpolicy.org/) by [Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD](https://opioidpolicy.org/team) is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0![](https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/cc.svg?ref=chooser-v1)![](https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/by.svg?ref=chooser-v1)![](https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/nc.svg?ref=chooser-v1)![](https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/sa.svg?ref=chooser-v1)](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?ref=chooser-v1)