Ohio Saw More Overdose Deaths In 2020 Than in Previous 14 Years
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded a total of $3,503,330 in funding through five grant programs to provide support to communities and health care providers across Ohio. The funding from the five grant programs will go toward a multifaceted approach to combat the ongoing addiction crisis that continues to harm communities across Ohio.
“In Ohio, where the ongoing pandemic has only exacerbated the addiction crisis, we need to make sure that local communities have the resources they need to educate families on the dangers of substance misuse and help to prevent overdose deaths,” said Brown. “This much needed investment will help equip communities across Ohio with the tools and resources they need to fight this public health crisis.”
The federal funding comes as recent reports show that Ohio experienced more overdose deaths in 2020 than in the previous 14 years, with a growing racial disparity in the rate of overdose deaths. With more than 5,000 Ohioans losing their battle with addiction, 2020 saw 2 ½ time more deaths than in 2014, when Ohio saw more overdose deaths than any other state in the country.
The SAMHSA Programs and Awards are Listed Below:
Medication Assisted Treatment for Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction (MAT-PDOA)
- $525,000 for the Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health SER,
- $525,000 for the Zepf Center in Toledo,
- $525,000 for Kent State University.
Screening, Brief, Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
- $921,476 for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Strategic Prevention Framework for Prescription Drugs (SPF Rx)
- $384,000 for Ohio State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in Columbus.
First Responder-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Grants (FR-CARA)
- $472,892 for Jefferson County.
Providers Clinical Support System – Universities (PCSS-Universities)
- $149,962 for Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown.
People looking for treatment resources can call SAMHSA’s 24/7 National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357) or can visit findtreatment.gov.