Indiana Lands $21M in Opioid Treatment Funding

Two Indiana agencies have received more than $21 million in federal funding. The grants will be used for opioid treatment services throughout the state.
The grant was awarded through the HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. FSSA Secretary Jennifer Walthall says the funds are "crucial as we continue bolstering our evidence-based prevention, treatment and recovery services, expand access to recovery housing and medication-assisted treatment, and work to reduce the stigma around substance use disorder. These resources will enable us to help more Hoosiers avoid and recover from substance use disorder."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also awarded a nearly $3.5 million grant to the Indiana State Department of Health. The funding will be used to "advance the understanding of the opioid epidemic" and scale up prevention and response activities, such as improving surveillance and data collection, increasing awareness, analyzing drugs involved in overdoses, and supporting local health departments.
"The opioid epidemic is an all-hands-on-deck effort, and these funds will enable us to better understand its impact on Hoosiers and give communities the information and tools they need to combat this public health crisis," State Health Commissioner Kris Box said in a news release.
U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Todd Young (R-IN) also released statements regarding the HHS grant.
Donnelly:
These federal funds will help our state continue the fight against the opioid abuse epidemic, in communities large and small across Indiana. We know that it will take everyone working together – on prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts – as we connect Hoosiers battling addiction with the resources they need. I will continue working with anyone willing as we address this public health crisis.
Young:
The pain of losing a loved one due to an opioid overdose is something no one should have to endure. Unfortunately, this is the reality for far too many families. This grant funding is welcome in Indiana, where our state has been working aggressively to curb the terrible opioid epidemic and provide treatment options for Hoosiers looking to turn their lives around.