The CDC will distribute $12 million this week to 23 states and the District of Columbia to support local responses to the nation's opioid epidemic.
States will use the funds to improve tracking of opioid-related overdoses and bolster efforts designed to prevent opioid misuse. The funds were made available under the 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which President Donald Trump signed in May.
"The opioid epidemic is a scourge on our nation that knows no bounds," said HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD. "President Trump and we at HHS are working to support states on the front lines of this national crisis. This new support from CDC … will help states and local authorities track this epidemic and respond in real time."
The CDC plans to announce more funding for opioid overdose prevention programs later this summer.
More articles on opioids:
Governors lament struggle to combat opioid epidemic at NGA meeting
Viewpoint: Big data may be a solution to America's opioid crisis
President Trump's opioid commission misses deadline for 2nd time