Northeast Oregon to receive part of $13 Million to boost opioid treatment
By Joe Hathaway on Friday, July 26th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
NORTHEAST OREGON – The Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment & Recovery Board has allocated $13.08 million to enhance substance use disorder treatment services in Oregon, particularly through opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and jails.
This funding, based on recommendations from the State Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission and administered by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), aims to improve access to medication for opioid use disorder.
Key allocations include:
Northeast Oregon: Two new opioid treatment programs or medication units.
Other Regions: Units in Clackamas County, Multnomah County, Mid-Gorge region, Klamath County, coastal areas, and eastern Lane County.
Technical Assistance: $250,000 to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) for collaboration with jails and opioid treatment providers.
The funding will support the establishment of new OTPs and mobile medication units, targeting regions with high unmet needs. To qualify for funding, programs must be certified by OHA. The OHA is tasked with engaging partners and submitting a detailed implementation plan to the Board by September 1, 2024.
Since July 2021, Oregon has secured nearly $600 million from national opioid lawsuit settlements. These funds are split between the state and local jurisdictions. The state’s share is managed by the 18-member Opioid Settlement, Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Fund Board.
Local jurisdictions with populations over 10,000 decide on their fund usage and report annually to the Oregon Department of Justice.
The OHA tells Elkhorn Media Group that expansion of OTP services in Northeast Oregon is part of a broader strategy to ensure that 90% of Oregonians have access to methadone within 15-50 minutes.
“Existing OTPs are mostly along the Interstate-5 corridor, leaving coastal, rural, and frontier communities underserved,” said Erica Heartquist, Public Health Communication Officer for OHA. “This new funding will address these gaps.”
The OHA says it will work with current OTPs to determine expansions, emphasizing collaboration with jails, community clinics, and hospitals. Grant recipients will be announced on a rolling basis throughout fall and winter.
The Opioid Settlement Board co-chairs says they aim to swiftly implement these allocations to combat the opioid crisis, particularly the impact of fentanyl, across Oregon.
