House leaders announce $37M in opioid crisis grants awarded to Indiana, Pennsylvania

Indiana and Pennsylvania received a combined $37 million in funding to help rein in opioid abuse, grants that were authorized under the 21st Century Cures Act with support from U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN), Patrick Meehan (R-PA) and Tim Murphy (R-PA).

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price announced the Targeted Response Opioid Crisis Grants last week, which include a $10.9 million grant to Indiana and a $26.5 million grant to Pennsylvania. A total of $485 million in state opioid crisis grants were awarded to all 50 states.

The Targeted Response Opioid Crisis Grants are being administered through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“The heroin and opioid abuse crisis has hit Hoosiers and our communities hard,” Brooks said. “Thanks to the 21st Century Cures Act, Indiana is getting the resources it desperately needs to reduce overdose deaths; help Hoosiers get treatment for substance abuse and stay in recovery; and reduce the over-prescription of opioids. Still, there is more to be done, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and other state and local partners to end this public health crisis.”

The opioid epidemic has reached crisis proportions, Meehan said, and tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families have been impacted.

“Congress passed bipartisan opioid abuse legislation last year and giving more federal support to states like Pennsylvania was a key part of it,” Meehan said. “This grant will put more resources in the hands of those on the front lines of the fight against opioid addiction in Pennsylvania.”

Pennsylvania was awarded the fourth-largest grant — behind California, Texas and Florida — in the first of two rounds of opioid crisis grant funding.

“I’m pleased to see Pennsylvania receive such a significant share of funding — but it’s also a somber recognition of the fact that our communities have been hit particularly hard by this epidemic,” Meehan said. “Congress must sustain its commitment to funding (the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act) and explore other ways the federal government can help states and communities combat the crisis.”

Murphy applauded the Trump administration for supporting state efforts to enhance prescription drug monitoring programs, step-up abuse prevention measures, better train medical professionals and expand access to treatment programs.

“The promises made to families in mental health and addiction crisis are being fulfilled,” Murphy said. “This first grant awarded to Pennsylvania will save lives, restore communities and repair the millions of families torn apart by addiction. The president has made tackling the addiction crisis a top priority, and with a focus on the full spectrum of treatment and solutions to the disease of addiction, there is hope for our fight to end our nation’s opioid crisis.”