Brown Announces $500,000 For Licking And Knox Counties To Help Combat Addiction And Overdose Deaths

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 13, 2022 – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced today that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded a $500,000 grant to the Community Mental Health & Recovery Board of Licking and Knox Counties, located in Newark. Funding will aim to curb the increase in psychostimulant misuse and overdose related deaths.

“Addiction isn’t an individual problem or a character flaw, it’s a disease – a disease that all too often starts in the family medicine cabinet,” said Brown. “As drug overdoses rise amid the pandemic, we must ensure that Ohio’s rural communities have the resources they need for prevention, treatment, and recovery services.”

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Psychostimulant Support program helps strengthen and expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services for individuals in rural areas who misuse psychostimulants and to enhance their ability to access treatment and move towards recovery. This year, HHS has provided a total of more than $400 million for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) initiative nationwide.

Brown will continue leading efforts to ensure Ohioans have the resources and the investments they need to stay healthy and safe.