DENVER – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced nearly $21 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to help Colorado combat the opioid crisis. This distribution comes from the first-year funds of the SAMHSA’s two-year State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program.
“Our response in Washington to the opioid epidemic must match the magnitude of the crisis—which is why I’ve strongly supported funding for this program and I’m grateful to announce nearly $21 million will go to our state,” Bennet said. “We must keep working on meaningful policies and programs that invest in resources to treat those living with substance use disorders and support individuals and communities bearing the brunt of this crisis.”
Bennet has consistently supported appropriations requests for the SOR grant program in the Senate. In 2018, Bennet secured several provisions in the Opioid Crisis Response Act, yet still called on Congress and the Trump Administration to do more to address the opioid epidemic. In 2019, Bennet introduced the Opioid Crisis Accountability Act to ensure opioid manufacturers and distributors provide funding to address the crisis they created.
Through the SOR and Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grant programs, funds are provided to states and tribal governments across the country to develop approaches to prevention, treatment, and recovery from opioid use disorders or stimulant use disorders that address the needs of their communities. It also provides access to lifesaving, evidence-based medication to treat opioid use disorders, along with psychosocial services and community support.