Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, alongside Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) Director LeeAnne Cornyn, has announced a significant milestone in the state’s battle against substance abuse. A total of $100 million in federal grant funding has been allocated to local organizations and initiatives across Ohio to combat opioid use disorder and prevent overdose fatalities. This marks the fourth round of State Opioid and Stimulant Response (SOS) grant awards in Ohio.
Comprehensive Strategy to Address the Opioid Crisis
“These SOS grants are a key piece of the puzzle in one of the nation’s most comprehensive strategies for fighting substance use and preventing overdose deaths,” said Governor DeWine. The funds, received through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), are intended to bolster the efforts of local organizations providing prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services for those battling opioid and stimulant use disorders.
Decline in Overdose Deaths Signals Progress
Ohio’s fight against the opioid crisis has shown measurable success. Governor DeWine highlighted the state’s 9% decline in overdose deaths in 2023, significantly outpacing the national average of 2%. This marks the second consecutive year of declining overdose fatalities in Ohio, signaling that the state’s aggressive strategies and resource allocation are yielding encouraging results.
The newly announced SOS 4.0 grants aim to sustain and accelerate this progress, supporting community-based programs and expanding access to critical resources.
Funding Allocation and Key Priorities
Of the $100 million awarded, more than $68.7 million will be distributed to county Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) boards and local community providers. OhioMHAS will also allocate a portion of the funding to collaborate with state agencies to ensure widespread availability of naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.
OhioMHAS and Governor DeWine’s RecoveryOhio initiative worked with various stakeholders to determine priorities for the SOS 4.0 funding. The grant aims to address several critical areas, including:
- Reducing overdose deaths: Supporting programs and interventions to prevent unintentional overdoses.
- Expanding treatment access: Increasing availability of substance use disorder treatment services.
- Preventing youth substance use: Implementing educational programs to reduce substance use among young people.
- Enhancing recovery support: Strengthening services that support long-term recovery.
- Promoting responsible prescribing: Educating medical professionals to adopt safe prescribing practices.
- Advancing harm reduction: Encouraging integrated harm reduction methods across the state.
Fentanyl and the Ongoing Challenge
Despite positive trends, OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn emphasized the continuing dangers posed by fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid driving much of the overdose crisis. “While the data is trending in the right direction, we’re not out of the woods yet. Fentanyl remains a serious threat to our communities,” said Cornyn. She reiterated the importance of targeted investments in life-saving programs and initiatives that aim to reduce the devastating impacts of substance abuse.
A Commitment to Saving Lives
This latest round of funding demonstrates Ohio’s dedication to combating substance use disorders and saving lives. With substantial resources directed toward prevention, treatment, and recovery, the state is poised to build on its recent successes and continue addressing the opioid crisis with a comprehensive, community-centered approach.
