More than $16 million in federal funds were awarded to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to help reduce opioid use and addiction.
The grant will be used to promote prevention and increase access to treatment, according to MDHSS.
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The State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grant was administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“This is an excellent opportunity to address the rise of opioid use disorders in our state,” said Dr. Debra Pinals, MDHHS chief psychiatrist. “Through this grant, we will strengthen our networks for prevention and treatment to reduce opioid-related deaths and make treatment more available for those who need it.”
According to MDHSS, there was a fourfold increase in unintentional fatal drug poisonings from 1999 to 2014, and in 2012 the state was 10th in the nation in per-capita prescribing rates of opioid pain relievers.
Initiatives that will be funded by the grant include:
- Development of a statewide awareness campaign
- Michigan-OPEN research through the University of Michigan
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Prevention services and strategies
- Improving the availability of Naloxone
- Increasing peer supports, tribal supports, and support of law enforcement
- Providing a new model for re-entry services
- Collaboration with university partners on re-entry, evaluation, and research opportunities
“Michigan is making strides in the fight against addiction, and this grant will help us bring those efforts to the next level, helping more families find the support they need to prevent and treat addiction,” said Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.
For more information about substance abuse and mental health in Michigan, including addiction resources, visit michigan.gov/bhrecovery.