New York will use more than $3.7 million in opioid settlement funding to expand addiction outreach services statewide, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office on Wednesday announced. 

The money, administered by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, is meant to aid high-need people in New York who otherwise struggle to access care. 

"We are taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to addressing the opioid crisis across New York State, including in underserved areas that are lacking addiction services and supports," Hochul said. "The street outreach services funded through these grants will help marginalized populations access the life-saving care they need to break the vicious cycle of addiction."

A dozen awards of up to $250,000 will be used to cover operating expenses of outreach services. There will be 10 awards of $75,000 for providers outside of the New York City region to also purchase vehicles and find hard-to-reach people who are struggling with addiction.

Teams of outreach counselors visit areas like parks and encampments to provide overdose prevention and education as well as naloxone distribution as well as basic supplies. 

There are now 20 providers receiving support in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island as well as Erie, Monroe, Sullivan, Tompkins and Albany counties.