Rep. Murphy Announces Federal Funding to Combat Opioid Crisis in Central Florida
WASHINGTON – Representative Stephanie Murphy announced the University of Central Florida will receive $494,412 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to combat the opioid epidemic in central Florida.
The funds will be used by the university to train a new generation of professionals involved in prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.
“It breaks my heart to see communities all across Florida and the country be devastated by the opioid epidemic,” Murphy said.
“These funds will help stem the alarming rise in opioid overdoses in central Florida, and to recruit an army of professionals that will enhance prevention and treatment efforts and save lives,” she added.
Pamela Carroll, dean of UCF’s College of Community Innovation and Education, said the university has been deeply involved in community efforts to address the epidemic in opioid abuse.
“Through the support of this grant, the ‘UCF-Aspire Counselor Training Program in Integrated Care for Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders’ will train new mental health professionals who will be dedicated to working with individuals, couples and families throughout central Florida to fight the epidemic now and in the future,” she said.
The funds are part of HHS’ Opioid Workforce Expansion Program, which provides grants that help train and increase the number of behavioral health professionals to tackle behavioral health needs, including opioid and substance abuse, in high-need populations.
The program aims to resolve the specific concerns of children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth in high-need and high-demand areas who are at risk for behavioral health disorders such as opioid addiction.
Last year, Murphy passed into law a measure to ensure that states have effective plans in place to protect infants who are innocent victims of the opioid epidemic.
The bill established a grant program to help Florida and other states develop evidence-based policies and procedures so drug-dependent babies receive proper care at the hospital and the necessary family, community, and medical support once they are discharged.
In The News
Health
Voting
Opioids
CLEVELAND — Pharmacy chains CVS, Walgreens and Walmart must pay $650.5 million to help with the opioid recovery efforts of... Read More
CLEVELAND — Pharmacy chains CVS, Walgreens and Walmart must pay $650.5 million to help with the opioid recovery efforts of two Ohio counties, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. He agreed with officials in Lake and Trumbull counties that the pharmacies’ failure to protect their customers who... Read More
WASHINGTON — Only days after the Justice Department announced successful prosecutions of drug runners and seizures of huge stashes of... Read More
WASHINGTON — Only days after the Justice Department announced successful prosecutions of drug runners and seizures of huge stashes of illegal opioids, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said what was on everyone’s mind at a Senate hearing Tuesday. “I think we have to face the unpleasant truth... Read More
WASHINGTON — In a unanimous ruling the Supreme Court said on Monday that prosecutors must prove doctors knowingly misprescribed drugs... Read More
WASHINGTON — In a unanimous ruling the Supreme Court said on Monday that prosecutors must prove doctors knowingly misprescribed drugs to secure convictions against them for the unlawful distribution of controlled medicines, like opioids. The decision came down in a case brought by two doctors, Xiulu... Read More
WASHINGTON — This week the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing to discuss the... Read More
WASHINGTON — This week the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing to discuss the opioid crisis in tribal communities. “Opioid overdose deaths during the pandemic increased more in Native American communities than … for any other racial or ethnic group,”... Read More
NEW YORK (AP) — Their advocacy helped send Purdue Pharma into bankruptcy and is forcing the family that has controlled... Read More
NEW YORK (AP) — Their advocacy helped send Purdue Pharma into bankruptcy and is forcing the family that has controlled the company for generations to relinquish ownership and provide billions of dollars for communities to combat opioid addiction. But what victims of opioid abuse and those... Read More
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. needs a nimble, multipronged strategy and Cabinet-level leadership to counter its festering overdose epidemic, a... Read More
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. needs a nimble, multipronged strategy and Cabinet-level leadership to counter its festering overdose epidemic, a bipartisan congressional commission advises. With vastly powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl driving record overdose deaths, the scourge of opioids awaits after the COVID-19 pandemic finally recedes, a shift... Read More