The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide nearly $1.5 billion to states and territories to help address the opioid epidemic, it announced Thursday.
The grant funding opportunity will be available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The announcement comes on the heels of President Joe Biden’s national drug control strategy where he said the opioid epidemic was a priority in his health-related agenda. Opioid treatment has historically been underfunded and in high demand, and overdose deaths accelerated during the pandemic.
The funding will be made available to those increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) and supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery support services for OUD and other substance use disorders. A portion is earmarked for those with the highest mortality rates. States and territories will also be asked to develop naloxone distribution plans to increase access.
“This funding helps facilitate state- and territory-level efforts to ensure the full continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and long-term recovery supports are in place and accessible to all who need them,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a press release.
“SAMHSA will continue supporting our nation’s states and territories as they confront the overdose crisis that has brought tragedy to so many American families and communities,” SAMHSA leader Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., said in the announcement.
The program’s goal, according to the announcement, is to develop care services and improve outcomes. The funding will be awarded in fiscal year 2022 to 59 states and territories. The program will allow for flexibility in funding depending on different local needs.