Gov. Evers: DHS announces nearly $9 million awarded for drug treatment services

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has awarded nearly $9 million to 23 county agencies and five tribal nations to provide treatment services for the harmful use of opioids—such as prescription pain relievers, heroin, and fentanyl—or stimulants—such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

“Too many Wisconsinites, and their friends, family, and neighbors, have experienced the tragedies of harmful use of stimulants and opioids first hand,” said Gov. Evers. “It tears apart families, impacts our kids, and has affected every Wisconsin community in one way or another. I am glad we are able to get these critical funds out the door to provide treatment and hope for so many.”

“The problem use of opioids and stimulants is an epidemic in Wisconsin,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “These grant awards enable our county and tribal partners to expand access to help those who need it most, giving them hope and healing, as we continue our collective work to build healthy communities.”

The grant awards listed below are based on the level of need for treatment services in the county or tribe and the types of treatment services to be provided by each county or tribe.

All counties and tribes were invited to apply for funding to support unmet treatment needs in their communities through September 29, 2021.

All of the grant recipients are connecting people struggling with opioids to medication-assisted treatment. Medication-assisted treatment involves one of the three Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder—buprenorphine products, methadone, and naltrexone—as well as therapy and other supports. Research shows medication-assisted treatment is the most effective way to treat opioid use disorder.

Thirteen of the grant recipients also are connecting people struggling with stimulants to services that have shown strong evidence of reducing stimulant use, including cognitive behavioral therapy and a treatment practice known as the Matrix Model.

More than 2,100 people are expected to receive treatment services as a result of these grant awards.

These grant awards are funded by Wisconsin’s share of the State Opioid Response Grant Program managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to providing funding for unmet treatment needs, Wisconsin’s State Opioid Response Grant Program includes investments in prevention activities, harm reduction strategies, other efforts to expand access to treatment services, and recovery support services.

For information on treatment services for harmful substance use in your community, connect with the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline by calling 211 or visiting addictionhelpwi.org.