WASHINGTON – The Biden administration recently announced more than $1 billion in funding that states can apply for to help fight the ongoing opioid crisis.
President Joe Biden and his administration have released the 2024 Notice of State and Tribal Opioid Response Funding Opportunities.
The funding will provide up to $1.48 billion to states and territories across the country to address the overdose crisis in 2024.
Ohio is eligible to apply for more than $100 million in funding.
Dr. Rahul Gupta, White House Director of National Drug Control Policy, spoke about how this funding will help.
Part of that includes ensuring communities and families in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have access to resources. So if someone is overdosing, naloxone or Narcan is available. If they need treatment, they come to the emergency room. They have the ability to start treatment instead of waiting two months for an appointment. ”
Dr. Rahul Gupta – Director of National Drug Control Policy in the Biden Administration
Dr. Gupta said the initiative aims to provide as many resources as possible to prevent opioid overdoses everywhere, but there's one group that needs it now more than ever. he says.
One of the key things in this is making sure that people who are incarcerated have access to help. In many cases, first of all, there are too many people in prisons and jails for drug use problems. But then, when they re-enter society, they either overdose or are re-imprisoned. ”
Dr. Rahul Gupta – Director of National Drug Control Policy in the Biden Administration
Although the opioid crisis remains deadly in many parts of the country, Dr. Gupta said we are moving in the right direction to reduce the number of overdoses in the United States.
It's flattening the curve. What this means is that even though so many people are still dying, we are making great progress and these funds will be used to save even more lives. Ultimately, we need people who have recovered, are in recovery, and are helping their communities reach the next level. ”
Dr. Rahul Gupta – Director of National Drug Control Policy in the Biden Administration
Dr. Gupta said each state must apply for funding from state and local governments.
He said the hope for the future is for states to work with the federal government with urgency to provide treatment and resources to everyone who needs them.
