Massachusetts Awarded More Than $50 Million to Combat Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded more than $1 billion in opioid-specific grants to help combat the crisis ravaging the country. The awards support HHS’s five-point opioid strategy, which was launched last year. New data unveiled recently by HHS suggests that efforts are now yielding progress at the national level.

“Addressing the opioid crisis with all the resources possible and the best science we have is a top priority for President Trump and for everyone at HHS,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “The more than $1 billion in additional funding that we provided this week will build on progress we have seen in tackling this epidemic through empowering communities and families on the front lines.”

Massachusetts will receive more than $50 million in federal funding, including $35.9 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to increase access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid-use disorder, and $14.5 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration to expand access to integrated substance-use disorder and mental-health services at community health centers, academic institutions, and rural organizations.

“This week, HHS updated its strategic framework for tackling the opioid crisis, which uses science as a foundation for our comprehensive strategy,” said Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for Health and senior advisor for Opioid Policy. “With these new funds, states, tribes, and communities across America will be able to advance our strategy and continue making progress against this crisis.”