Oregon to receive nearly $23M to combat opioid crisis

Oregon will receive
$22,972,499 in federal financial help in combating the opioid crisis.

The grant funding is
from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to combat the opioid
crisis, according to Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden.

In 2021, Oregon
overdose deaths increased 41%, compared to a 16% increase nationwide. In 2020
non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Black, male and
people experiencing houselessness were among the highest risk for unintentional
drug overdose death, according to the National Center for Health?Statistics,

“I’ve heard
heart-wrenching stories from Oregonians who have lost loved ones after a
prescription for an injury or treatment turned into an addiction,”?Merkley
said. ?”The impact of this crisis across communities is immeasurable, but
these funds will have a real impact on our continued fight to beat this
epidemic. I won’t stop working to deliver resources, solutions, and support to
address the needs of those suffering and their communities.”

“Every corner
of Oregon has been slammed by the opioid crisis that’s ripping apart lives,
with the human devastation rippling out as well to victims’ loved ones,
employers and communities,” Wyden said. “This scourge demands a
comprehensive response and this federal investment in prevention, treatment and
more will help. But there’s obviously much more to be done, and I’ll keep
battling to provide all the resources needed to attack this crisis with the
urgency it requires.”

Oregon and Tribes in
the state will receive:

  • ·        
    $498,228
    to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
  • ·        
    $15,474,271
    to Oregon Health Authority Directors Office of Financial Services
  • ·        
    $6,750,000
    to Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
  • ·        
    $250,000
    to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

What the money will
be used for

The awards are
intended to address the opioid overdose crisis by providing resources to
states, territories, and Tribes for increasing access to FDA-approved
medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), and for supporting
the continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support
services for opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent substance use
disorders.

“Every day
opioid addiction takes lives and destroys families,” the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy said. “With this
funding from Health and Human Services we will be able to provide critical
services through our clinic, Great Circle Recovery, and support patients on their
path through recovery.”

“Our tribe is
so thankful for the funds we will receive,” the Confederated Tribes of
Siletz Indians Chair Delores Piglsey said. “The opioid crisis has affected
our community. The funds will be used for wellness programs, mental health
treatment, and every preventative measure that we have been unable to perform
without the funding. Recovery efforts are severely needed in rural communities.
We thank our Senator for his active participation in recognizing our unique
needs.”

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