Oklahoma Distributes $2.5 Million in Grants to Combat Opioid Addiction
Oklahoma City, OK – In a strategic effort to tackle the pressing issue of opioid addiction, the state has allocated $2.5 million in grants across fourteen counties, two cities, and two school districts. This funding is part of the ongoing response to the opioid crisis, primarily fueled by settlements with pharmaceutical companies over the last five years, amounting to $1 billion.
On Wednesday, the state Opioid Abatement Board, led by Attorney General Gentner Drummond, announced this second round of grants, building on the $11 million distributed in June. The largest individual grants of $300,000 were awarded to Comanche and Osage counties, which will use the funds to enhance housing for recovery, provide transportation for drug court participants, and implement treatment services in collaboration with the Osage Nation.
“This funding will be pivotal in our battle against the devastating impacts of opioids, particularly fentanyl, in our communities,” Drummond stated. The grants are intended to support educational initiatives on substance abuse, addiction treatment programs, and measures to reduce narcotics availability in Oklahoma.
Additionally, local educational institutions are set to benefit. Lawton Public Schools received $75,000 to train educators in the "Good Behavior Game," aimed at lowering student disruptiveness and future substance abuse, while Owasso Public Schools will utilize its $150,000 grant to hire a nursing professional to develop an opioid awareness curriculum.
The grants reflect a concerted effort to not only combat direct addiction but to foster a healthier, more informed younger generation capable of making better choices regarding substance use.
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