OPIOIDS: Murray Announces Grants to Washington State Community Health Centers to Combat Opioid Abuse, Support Those Struggling with Addiction

Eight Washington state health centers to receive grants totaling $2.8 million

Funding comes as Murray continues work on bipartisan efforts to combat opioid epidemic

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that eight health centers across Washington state will receive a total of $2.8 million in service expansion grants, as part of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Health Center Substance Abuse Service Expansion program. These health centers will be able to use these new funds that she secured in the omnibus budget deal signed into law last December to improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services—with a focus on treatment of opioid use disorders.

“I have heard from families, local police chiefs, and community leaders across Washington state about the tragic impacts of the opioid epidemic—which is why I’m pleased to announce that today, community health centers across our state will get more resources to treat those struggling with addiction,” said Senator Murray. “These grants are a critical step to help tackle this epidemic, and I will keep working in the Senate to ensure communities have the tools and resources to end the hardship that opioid abuse has caused for far too long.”

Senator Murray supported the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, bipartisan legislation on treating and preventing opioid addiction among those who pass through the criminal justice system, which passed the Senate overwhelmingly yesterday. She is continuing work on bipartisan efforts to combat and treat the opioid epidemic within the health care system. For more information on Senator Murray’s recent work to prevent and treat opioid use disorders, click here.

Compared to the early 2000s, University of Washington researchers found that drug deaths involving opioids have increased 31 percent statewide, and publicly funded inpatient admissions for opioid-related treatment have increased 197 percent over the same time period.

Full breakdown of funding for Washington state: 

###