Florida Receives $4.3M to Help Addiction Treatment Centers Like The Source in Fort Lauderdale Combat the Opioid Epidemic

Fort Lauderdale, FL - Since 2015, the US has seen a steady increase in opioid overdose fatalities, and for the first time ever, Americans are more likely to die by accidental overdose than by motor vehicle accident. In 2020, there were over 93,000 fatal opioid overdoses, more than the past two years combined and the highest of any year previously recorded. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the opioid crisis in Florida, and early data shows there was a 59% increase in opioid overdose deaths since 2019. This alarming spike has prompted the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) to take immediate action to provide additional resources and education to the public.

To start, SAMHSA is granting $123 million nationally to support community health and healthcare providers. $4.3 million of this will be divided, over the course of a five-year period, between organizations that provide treatment for substance use disorder including Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction. This funding is intended to make MAT more accessible, increase the number of people actively receiving treatment, and decrease opioid use.

SAMHSA is also implementing a Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBRT) program. This grants an additional $1 million which provides screenings to teens and adults in healthcare settings such as the emergency room or clinics and subsequent interventions and referrals to addiction treatment centers if necessary.

Finally, SAMHSA is funding a First Responder Addiction Recovery Act in Pinellas County to train first responders in the use of opioid overdose reversal medications and devices. All these measures will allow for easier access to treatment which should, in turn, decrease the number of opioid overdoses.

The Source Addiction Treatment Center is a SAMHSA-recognized alcohol and drug rehab in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They provide MAT and opioid addiction treatment and specialize in providing trauma-informed and trauma-focused care. Multiple residential and outpatient addiction treatment programs accommodate the unique needs of each client to ensure they are receiving the right level of care with the least amount of interruptions to daily life. The Source team is a group of compassionate, motivated and welcoming professionals who have made it their mission to help others on their journey to recovery. To speak with a member of their team anytime, call (800) 204-0418 or visit www.thesourceaddictiontreatment.com to learn more.