HHS Announces $1.5 Billion Funding Opportunity for State Opioid Response Grant Program

To address the nation’s expanding overdose epidemic, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently announced a State Opioid Response (SOR) grant funding opportunity that will provide approximately $1.5 billion to states and territories.

“The SOR grant program delivers crucial aid to states and territories to help address in the crisis of overdose and death in our nation’s communities,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “And, in line with HHS’ Overdose Prevention Strategy, this funding helps facilitate state- and territory-level efforts to ensure the full continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and long-term recovery supports are in place and accessible to all who need them.” 

Through the program, states and territories will be provided formula funding to increase access to FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Funding will also be provided to support prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services for both OUD and other concurrent substance use disorders (SUD).

Furthermore, the program gives states and territories flexibility in funding evidence-based practices and supports across different settings to meet local community needs to ultimately reduce overdose deaths and close the gap in treatment needs.

According to Rahul Gupta, MD, MPH, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, currently fewer than 1 out of 10 people in the United States who need addiction care receive it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated an overdose crisis and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates in the 12 months leading to October 2021, more than 105,000 people died from overdose—the highest ever recorded across a 12-month span.

“SAMHSA will continue supporting our nation’s states and territories as they confront the overdose crisis that has brought tragedy to so many American families and communities,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and SAMHSA Leader Miriam E Delphin-Rittmon, PhD. “The State Opioid Response grant program delivers funding and guidance needed for states and territories to increase efforts to provide accessible, lifesaving medications and services in the communities where people most need them.”

Reference:
US Department of Health and Human Services. Biden administration announces $1.5 billion funding opportunity for state opioid response grant program. Published May 19, 2022. Accessed May 20, 2022. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/05/19/biden-administration-announces-15-billion-funding-opportunity-state-opioid-response-grant-program.html