Local addiction-service agencies will receive supplemental funding from the federal government to combat opioid addiction in Logan and surrounding counties.
The Logan/Champaign Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health agency will receive $170,802 in federal opioid funding to push back against the ongoing heroin and prescription drug epidemic, according to an announcement from the office of Sen. Rob Portman.
The funding comes by way of the 21st Century CURES Law, which was enacted by Congress in December 2016, pledging $1 billion nationally to combat opioid addiction.
In all, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction has disbursed about $26 million through local drug and mental health boards, and other statewide initiatives.
The funding may be used for improving prescription drug oversight programs, prevention, training for health care workers and increasing access to treatment for individuals struggling with a substance use disorder.
“This is terrific news for Logan and Champaign counties, and these new funds will help the communities’ efforts to combat the heroin and prescription drug epidemic gripping our state,” Portman said. … “This is another positive step forward, but we must do more, and that’s why I continue to push for common-sense solutions like the STOP Act and CARA 2.0 that will help us turn the tide of addiction in Ohio and around the country.”
The CURES legislation complements an additional $3 billion in federal opioid addiction funding budgeted by Congress earlier this year.