March 21st, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Today, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced $17,314,430 in federal funding for Maryland to combat the opioid epidemic. These funds, provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ State Opioid Response Grants aim to address the opioid crisis by increasing access to medication-assisted treatment using the three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder, reducing unmet treatment need, and reducing opioid overdose related deaths through the provision of prevention, treatment, and recovery activities for opioid use disorder. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen have consistently fought to increase this funding in the budget and appropriations process and through the passage of the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018.

 

“These federal funds will save lives and better our communities,” said Senator Cardin, member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care. “Maryland received over $17 million in federal funding for the State Opioid Response Grants, which will provide flexibility for local governments and local communities to do what they need to do in order to expand access to substance use treatment and reduce opioid overdose deaths, while at the same time providing Federal Government partnership and resources that can really make a difference.” 

 

“Opioid addiction has wreaked havoc in our state and across the country, leaving no community unscathed. This investment will provide crucial resources to Maryland’s efforts to combat the crisis – from increasing access to treatment to providing our emergency responders with the tools they need to save lives,” said Senator Van Hollen, member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees. “I was proud to work in the Senate for increased funding to tackle this epidemic — together, we must keep expanding prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals struggling with addiction and other mental health issues."