DHS Awards Funding to Law Enforcement Agencies Working to Address the Opioid Epidemic
Application period still open for additional grant dollars
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has awarded grants to six law enforcement agencies to support their work addressing the opioid epidemic in our state. The Buffalo, Columbia, Eau Claire, Marathon, and Sawyer County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Village of Cottage Grove Police Department will receive funds to support community drug disposal programs, programs that keep people with an opioid use disorder out of jail, medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder education and awareness training for staff, and treatment for incarcerated people with an opioid use disorder.
“Law enforcement agencies are key partners in our efforts to build strong communities,” said DHS Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson. “With these grants, we’re giving them resources to advance our shared goals of improving the quality of life for the people and communities we serve by promoting hope, health, and healing.”
Earlier this year, DHS requested grant applications from all law enforcement agencies interested in receiving support for their efforts addressing the opioid epidemic. Six agencies were awarded grants:
- The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $4,950 for community drug disposal programs.
- The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $290,605 to educate and train staff on medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and treat jail residents with an opioid use disorder.
- The Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $350,000 for community drug disposal programs, programs to keep people with an opioid use disorder out of jail, and to train staff on medication-assisted treatment for an opioid use disorder.
- The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $214,625 to educate and train staff on medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder and to treat jail residents with an opioid use disorder.
- The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $260,000 for programs to keep people with an opioid use disorder out of jail and to educate staff on medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
- The Village of Cottage Grove Police Department is receiving $1,000 for community drug disposal programs.
The one-year grants are funded by the state’s share of the National Prescription Opiate Litigation settlement received last year. The legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance directed DHS to distribute $3 million of the $31 million in 2022 settlement funds to law enforcement agencies. One million dollars of this funding was allocated for law enforcement agencies covering jurisdictions of less than 70,000 people.
The application period for the remaining funds is now open. About $1.9 million is left to be awarded, including about $443,000 specifically for law enforcement agencies serving small jurisdictions.
With these grants, nearly all of the state’s 2022 share of National Prescription Opiate Litigation settlement funds have been distributed to agencies providing prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services. Find more information about how the settlement funds have been invested in strategies to protect the health and safety of all state residents on the DHS website.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- Baldwin Backed Legislation to Crack Down on Fentanyl Traffickers Heads to President’s Desk - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Apr 24th, 2024
- Legislature Stalls Opioid Settlement Funds. Again - Erik Gunn - Apr 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee Bucks Legend Marques Johnson Joins Forces with Serenity Inns to Combat Opioid Epidemic in Milwaukee - Serenity Inns - Apr 23rd, 2024
- Law Enforcement Agencies Awarded Grants from State Opioid Settlement Funds - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 18th, 2024
- MKE County: County Wins Award for Opioid Settlement Fund Usage - Graham Kilmer - Apr 4th, 2024
- MKE County: County Offering $2.8 Million For Opioid Addiction Programs - Graham Kilmer - Mar 28th, 2024
- Senator Baldwin Calls on House to Pass Bill that Cracks Down on Fentanyl Traffickers - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Feb 15th, 2024
- Attorney General Josh Kaul announces $350 million settlement with marketing firm over its role in opioid epidemic - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Feb 1st, 2024
- Grants Will Fund Recovery Housing For Those Facing Homelessness and Battling Opioids - Margaret Faust - Jan 12th, 2024
- Baldwin Helps Advance Bipartisan Bill to Address Opioid and Fentanyl Crisis - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Dec 14th, 2023
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
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