OHIO — Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday that the state is making $4 million in substance abuse grants available over the next two years in an effort to continue helping those in recovery.
“These grants will allow local communities challenged by high overdose rates to develop, expand, or enhance substance use deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs, to identify, treat, and support those impacted by the use and misuse of opioids, stimulants, and other substances," DeWine said in a press release.
The funds come from the Ohio Deflection and Pre-Arrest Diversion Grant Program, administered by the Office of Criminal Justice Services, according to DeWine's office.
Eligible applications can use the funds in various ways, including:
- Purchasing naloxone and fentanyl testing strips for first responders' use and distribution
- Supporting drug take-back programs
- Embedding social workers and certified peer supporters into deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs
- Supporting services for underserved and/or high-risk populations
- Promoting recovery support services
DeWine said the funding must be used to support on or more of six pathways of deflection and pre-arrest diversion, as outlined by the Police, Treatment and Communitive Collaborative.
For more information on the substance abuse grants, click here.