DHS: #HopeActLiveWI: Madison and Milwaukee organizations receive $250,000 grants for opioid use disorder treatment

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is expanding access to effective treatment for opioid use disorder through partnerships with two community organizations. ARC Community Services, Madison, and United Community Center, Milwaukee, each have received $250,000 to offer medication-assisted treatment in their regions.

“Medication-assisted treatment is the gold standard of care for people diagnosed with an opioid use disorder,” says DHS Director of Opioid Initiatives Paul Krupski. “These grants are part of our ongoing effort to ensure that people struggling have a path to recovery.”

Medication-assisted treatment uses Food and Drug Administration-approved medications, including buprenorphine products, methadone, and naltrexone, along with therapy and other supports to address issues related to opioid use disorder. Research shows it is the most effective way to treat this health condition.

The grant funding is available through September 2019. It is part of the DHS State Opioid Response Grant Program funded by an $11.9 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration received by DHS last month. The federal grant is expected to be an annual award.

ARC Community Services and United Community Center join four other organizations in offering medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder under grants from DHS. The Forest County Potawatomi Community, Milwaukee County, Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, and Tellurian are providing this service in their regions through $250,000 grants awarded in April as part of the DHS State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grant Program.

In 2017, 916 people died from opioid-related overdoses in Wisconsin. Responding to Wisconsin’s opioid epidemic is one of the top priorities of DHS. Through partnerships with state, tribal, county, and local agencies, the DHS approach to this public health crisis empowers communities to prevent misuse, expand access to quality treatment and recovery services, and reduce death and harm.

If you or someone you love has a problem with opioids, contact the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline. Call 211 or 833-944-4673.