U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today released the following statement after the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the second round of grants to help states and territories combat the opioid epidemic were on the way. Michigan is set to receive $16.3 million in this round of funding. These Opioid State Targeted Response (STR) grants were made available as part of Upton’s 21^st Century Cures Act.

“This is great news for Michigan. As we all work together to end the tragic opioid epidemic, these targeted grants, made possible through 21^st Century Cures, will be vital resources in the fight. We’ve made progress in funding critical opioid prevention and treatment programs as well as assisting law enforcement efforts – but clearly more work remains. As we continue to hear of loved ones lost, the fight is not done yet. This is another great step.”

The grants are to be administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within HHS. The STR grants address the opioid epidemic by increasing access to prevention, treatment, and recovery activities for opioid use disorder (including prescription opioids as well as illicit drugs such as heroin).

Last April, Upton applauded the first round of funding from HHS and last month the president signed into law a government funding bill that provided $4 billion to help address prevention, treatment, and enforcement issues as part of the opioid epidemic.

Learn more about Upton’s work to combat the opioid epidemic here.