U.S. SENATE — Following yesterday’s passage of bipartisan legislation to address prescription opioid abuse and heroin epidemic in America, Senator Steve Daines today announced $379,167 in funding for Bighorn Valley Health Center and $379,167 in funding for Billhook Community Health Center to help tackle this crisis.
“Tackling our nation’s drug epidemic from all sides – to help the victims of addiction dealing with their disease to providing resources for our law enforcement officials – is the only way we’re going to change course and combat drug abuses,” Daines stated. “This funding is critical to helping Montanans get care closer to home and serve those most at-risk. It’s great to have additional resources in our communities to fight against opioid abuse and help individuals and families when they need it the most.”
The additional funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration will work to improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services in health centers, with a specific focus on treatment of opioid use disorders in underserved populations.
Yesterday, with Daines’ support, the Senate overwhelmingly passed S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). This legislation authorizes grants for implementing community-wide strategies in areas where opioid and methamphetamine abuse is higher than the national average, where there is a recent spike in such abuse, or there is a significant increase in opioid and methamphetamine abuse related deaths.
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