Stating that combating the opioid epidemic is his top priority, U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) praised the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) announcement on April 18 that a second round of grant funding to fight the opioid crisis would be made available to Oregon and all other states.
“At roundtables throughout my district in Oregon, I’ve met with the victims, families, doctors, treatment advocates and law enforcement officers on the front lines of this fight,” Rep. Walden, chairman of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, said in a speech on the House floor. “Their stories are all too similar, and all too familiar, and they put names and faces to a crisis that has touched every community in our country.”
HHS said it would release $485 million in Opioid State Targeted Response (STR) grants to help combat opioid abuse, with Oregon slated to receive approximately $6.5 million in grants. Established under the 21st Century Cures Act that was signed into law in 2016, STR grants are administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within HHS. Oregon had received $6.5 million in the first round of grants, as well.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a written statement the Trump administration will continue to partner with states to speed up the deployment of this “historic level of resources” provided by Congress to fight the epidemic.
“These funds will help support evidence-based efforts at the state level to prevent misuse of opioids in the first place, expand access to effective treatment options for people in need, and support recovery for those who have prevailed,” Azar said.
The first round of STR grants announced in April 2017 helped states advance medication-assisted treatment, promote the use of overdose-reversing naloxone, and build recovery and support services across the country, HHS stated.
“While this Congress has made available a record amount of financial resources to help stem the tide, it is imperative these critical dollars are being best used in the communities hardest hit,” Rep. Walden said. “Part of our ongoing legislative efforts will make it easier to track these important resources and ensure they are effectively deployed.”
In addition to the 21st Century Cures Act, the House Energy and Commerce Committee also advanced the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) to address the opioid epidemic last Congress. Rep. Walden has also convened a series of hearings on opioid abuse and his committee is currently considering dozens of bills to attack the issue.
Furthermore, in March the Trump administration signed into law an omnibus package to fund the government for fiscal year 2018 that included $4 billion to help address the opioid epidemic, noted Walden’s staff.