The First State is getting additional federal funds to deal with the opioid crisis locally.
Delaware officials announced Wednesday the state is receiving a two million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Social Services. The Opioid State Targeted Response grant is part of a $4.58 billion investment by the federal government to combat the opioid epidemic nationally.
Officials says the $2 million will further fund three centers of excellence the state plans to open later this year, along with deploying newly-trained substance abuse coaches around the state.
The announcement comes one day after state officials and the Delaware non-profit atTAck addiction made a plea for the same amount in state funds to start a recovery high school for students battling addiction.
92 people have died in Delaware this year of suspected opioid overdoses.
Delaware Secretary of Health and Social Services Dr. Kara Odom Walker said in a statement, “This grant can help us connect people in the throes of addiction to the right services for them at the right time.”
Those seeking treatment for opioid addiction in Delaware can visit the "Help is Here" website.
