Oklahoma gets $2.6 million in federal funding to fight fentanyl crisis
Luke Gentile
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Oklahoma received more than $2.6 million in federal funding on Thursday to help battle the fentanyl and opioid crisis in the state’s rural areas.
At least 300 people died due to fentanyl overdoses last year, which was an increase of 538% when compared with 2019, according to a report from local radio station KOSU.
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Oklahomans in rural areas suffered the most due to limited access to treatment and mental health services.
The award of financial assistance was announced by the Department of Health and Human Services, according to the report, and it will be used in three parts.
First, $1 million will be used to bolster access to medication designed to treat opioid use disorders in rural areas and construct treatment facilities.
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Second, $1.2 million will foster support in those communities to both mitigate and properly respond to overdoses.
Finally, $499,500 was awarded to address infant exposure to opioids by using interventions to prevent new exposure cases and treat existing ones.