FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2017
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services is awarding $12,995,621 in grants to the state of New Jersey to help combat the opioid epidemic. The funding comes from the 21st Century Cures Act, which Pallone played a leading role in advancing through the House of Representatives as the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act into law in December. More than $485 million in grants were awarded nationwide to combat the epidemic.
“Opioid abuse affects everyone – people of every faith, every ethnicity, every sexual orientation, and every background,” said Pallone. “They are our friends, family, and neighbors. This funding will help our communities to strengthen our defenses against the opioid epidemic that has impacted so many of us. While this is an important step, the fight to combat the opioid epidemic is just beginning and more must be done. I will continue to fight for whatever funds are necessary to assist New Jersey families facing addiction.”
Funding will support a comprehensive array of prevention, treatment, and recovery services depending on the needs of recipients. In New Jersey, more than 184,000 individuals have been admitted to substance abuse treatment facilities for heroin or opioid abuse since 2010 and more than 5,000 have died from heroin-related deaths since 2004.
