Sherrill, Trone, Riggleman Announce $1.5 Billion in Funding for State Opioid Response Grants

Washington, DC – Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), along with Representatives David Trone (D-MD) and Denver Riggleman (R-VA) announced $1.5 billion in funding for State Opioid Response Grants (SOR) and Tribal Opioid Response Grants (TOR) that was included in the Fiscal Year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. These grants provide funding to states to reduce overdose related deaths through prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. The new funding reflects a $500 million increase from Fiscal Year 2019.

In May, the group introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize funding for this important program for the next five years.

“The expanded funding for the State Opioid Response grants reflects the importance of community-based care and giving states the tools they need to combat the opioid epidemic,” said Representative Sherrill. “I’m proud to be part of the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction and we will continue to work to ensure funding over the long-term so grant recipients in New Jersey have the resources necessary in the coming years to help our neighbors, friends, and family suffering from addiction.”

“This $500 million increase in funding for State Opioid Response Grants shows the power of shining a bright light on the addiction crisis that kills 192 people every day,” said Representative Trone, founder of the Freshmen Working Group on Addiction. “States and tribal communities rely on these grants to fund critical programs that save lives. This historic federal investment shows that Congress is serious about tackling the opioid crisis in every community across the country.”

“The opioid crisis has touched too many families across the nation including my own and it is past time that we as leaders take steps to address this crisis,” said Representative Riggleman. “These grants will help states and tribal communities fund essential programs that can help those in need.  I am proud to announce this increase in funding that will help save lives.”

In addition to funding for State Opioid Response Grants and Tribal Opioid Response Grants, the Fiscal Year 2020 funding bill included $501 million for Anti-Opioid Abuse, $2.36 billion for the Drug Enforcement Agency to undertake more robust anti-opioid and other illegal drug enforcement efforts, $397 million for VA Medical Care opioid abuse prevention, $5.9 billion for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and $970 million for Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities.

Representative Sherrill is committed to fighting for New Jersey families, and to working in Congress to address the SALT deduction, move forward on transportation infrastructure funding, and improve healthcare for all Americans.

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