HARTFORD, CT – The Connecticut Congressional Delegation today announced a $5.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support Connecticut efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. The funding is the second of two rounds from the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama in December 2016. The law included emergency federal funding to fight opioid addiction, as well as significant reforms to the mental health system and funding for medical research on cancer and other diseases.

“This new federal funding is a big step forward in combating the opioid epidemic in our state,” said the delegation. “We’ve seen the devastating impact of this epidemic in countless towns across Connecticut and have heard loud and clear from families and individuals struggling with addiction that more help is needed.  We will continue working with our colleagues in Congress to ensure that Connecticut gets the funding needed to support the programs and services that play a major role in this fight.”

According to HHS, today’s funding will reach 57 states and territories totaling $485 million to continue the Nation’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis.  The Opioid State Targeted Response (STR) grants, which were created by the 21st Century Cures Act, are administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within HHS.

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