New Minnesota state grants will address the ravages of opioid abuse by expanding treatment capacity and bolstering resources that strengthen communities and prevent opioid addiction.
With the growing presence of fentanyl contributing to an unprecedented number of drug overdose deaths, many Minnesotans need help – and urgently. The $20.1 million in new grants from the Minnesota Department of Human Services will expand services available to support people suffering from opioid use disorder and make it easier to get help.
The state’s Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council recommended awards to the 28 grantees, with funding from Minnesota’s opioid epidemic response law.
“Everyone who needs treatment for opioid use disorder deserves access to high-quality, culturally relevant care,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “This funding will help more Minnesotans get the care they need, while providing key resources to reduce harm and prevent addiction throughout the state.”
Just over $7 million will go to initiatives that expand and enhance the continuum of care for opioid-related substance use disorders. Another $4 million will support workforce development initiatives and treatment training.
Grants will also fund emerging and innovative strategies for combating the opioid crisis. For instance, one program plans to connect clinicians and neuroscientists with the recovery community to help design clinically relevant, groundbreaking research on opioid use disorder.
Funding will support programs that focus on primary prevention and education; secondary prevention and harm reduction; and chronic pain and alternative treatments.
Many of the investments will address gaps in Minnesota’s continuum of care for Native American people and people of color with opioid use disorder, while providing significant prevention and education services to diverse communities. Resources will go to Greater Minnesota and Tribal Nations, as well as organizations that provide services statewide.
“There are many organizations working within the state of Minnesota to provide these services to the Minnesotans who need them,” said Dr. Kathy Nevins, chair of the Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council.
The current awards are the third set of grants recommended by the council. Earlier rounds in 2022 and 2023 each totaled approximately $5 million.
In the coming months, the council will announce more funding recommendations and begin soliciting proposals for new funding.
For information, visit mn.gov/dhs/opioid-grants-fy2024 or knowthedangers.com/treatment-and-recovery.
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