RALEIGH — Robeson Health Care Corporation has been awarded $200,000 in federal money to fight opioid use.
The award was announced this week by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The money awarded the Pembroke-based health-care organization is part of $1.2 million in grant money going to six rural North Carolina communities. Also awarded $200,000 each were Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson, Coastal Horizons Center in Wilmington, North Carolina Quality Healthcare Alliance in Chapel Hill, United Way of Rutherford County in Forest City, and Wilson Substance Abuse Coalition in Wilson.
The grant money is to be used by the recipients to “strengthen and expand their response to opioid use disorder with increased planning; prevention; evidence-based treatment, including medication-assisted treatment; and recovery service delivery,” a Department of Health and Human Services press release reads in part.
“Many North Carolinians living in rural communities struggle to access opioid use disorder treatment due to a lack of providers and insurance funding for treatment,” said Kody H. Kinsley, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ deputy secretary for Behavioral Health & Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. “This award will support our efforts to address these challenges and help individuals obtain treatment and move into recovery.”
The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program is a multi-year, opioid-focused initiative by the Health Resources and Services Administration, according to DHHS. The program aims to reduce the morbidity and mortality of substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder, in high-risk rural communities.
“Our rural communities are disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis,” said Maggie Sauer, DHHS Office of Rural Health director. “These grants will provide communities with the opportunity to work collectively to plan and create sustainable community interventions.”
Anyone who needs help with treatment or recovery can get help by contacting their Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization. To find out which LME/MCO serves your county, visit ncdhhs.gov.
