Governor Hochul announces $7.5 million available for opioid treatment programs

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul announced recently the availability of up to $7.5 million for state-certified providers and other treatment programs to establish low threshold buprenorphine services to address opioid addiction and save lives.

Administered by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the grants will be the first to tap New York State's Opioid Settlement Fund and will help develop up to 15 programs offering this safe, effective treatment for opioid use disorder.

"Far too many New Yorkers have been lost to the scourge of opioid overdoses and addiction," Governor Hochul said.

"This funding, through the Opioid Settlement Fund, will help bring new hope to those struggling with substance use disorder, remove barriers to treatment that saves lives, and turn the tide of the opioid crisis in our state."

The funding will provide up to $500,000 for 15 programs statewide to offer low threshold buprenorphine services.

OASAS-certified treatment providers, clinics by the state Office of Mental Health, hospitals, syringe services programs, and harm reduction programs are eligible to apply for the funding.

2021 marked an alarming 14% increase of opioid related deaths from the year before, including over 4,700 confirmed opioid related deaths.

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.