The Boston Mountain Rural Health Center, Inc. in Marshall is among 11 Arkansas facilities sharing nearly $3 million to advance substance abuse and mental health treatment. The funds are awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its Expanding Access to Quality Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services program.The Boston Mountain Rural Health Center will receive $285,000 in funding.
The announcement of the award came Wednesday morning from U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton along with U.S. Representatives Rick Crawford and Steve Womack.
Senator Boozman says community health centers have long been on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic. Throughout this escalating crisis, they have played a vital role in addressing the mental and behavioral health needs of those seeking treatment, no matter the circumstances.
Boozman says in spite of the growing number of patients with opioid use disorder, they have expanded services to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Their efforts to implement effective treatment, recovery and prevention methods are critical in addressing this crisis. This funding will support the implementation of care that will help turn the tide of opioid epidemic.
Senator Cotton says improving access to treatment and recovery services must be a component in our strategy to defeat opioid addiction in Arkansas. This welcome funding will allow community health centers to continue administering critical treatment for substance abuse and often-associated mental health problems.
First District Congressman Crawford says opioid addiction is a nationwide crisis that knows no geographic or demographic boundary. Addiction treatment is often difficult to access and administer in rural America due to lack of infrastructure and funding. Community health centers serve some of our most vulnerable populations and this critical grant will bolster and expand the work they are already doing to battle this epidemic.
Third District Congressman Womack says the opioid abuse epidemic knows no boundaries. This deadly crisis requires aggressive action on all fronts, and these grants will support those struggling with addiction to find recovery. By equipping our local, on-the-ground experts with the resources they need to implement treatment and rehabilitation programs, we will help save lives and end this scourge.
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