HHS awards more than $1.6 billion to combat addiction, overdose crises nationwide
HHS has awarded more than $1.6 billion in investments for communities across the country to address the addiction and overdose crises.
According to a release from HHS, investments made through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s State Opioid Response (SOR) and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grant programs, and the Health Resources and Services Administration’s rural communities opioid response programs will help communities looking to leverage every tool at their disposal — from prevention to harm reduction to treatment and recovery — to provide support for those in need.
According to the CDC, more than 107,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2021, an increase of more than 15% from 2020, HHS said in the release.
“Providing access to evidence-based, person-centered care is a central part of HHS’ strategy for ending the overdose crisis,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated in the release. “Through these grants, we are investing in evidence-based supports and services for individuals, families, and communities on the road to recovery.”
Per the release, the SOR grant totals $1.44 billion and is earmarked for 58 states and territories. This funding includes a set-aside for the states with the highest opioid use disorder-related mortality rates. The TOR grant totals $55 million and is being awarded to 102 tribal entities to help address the overdose crisis in tribal communities by increasing access to FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid misuse, and supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery support services for opioid and stimulant misuse and co-occurring mental and substance use conditions.
“We are taking action to support the critical needs of rural and tribal communities by expanding access to opioid use disorder treatment,” HRSA administrator Carole Johnson said in the release. “Too often, the needs and challenges of these communities are overlooked or not well served.”