East Texas organizations get $1.1M to fight opioid crisis

TYLER — The Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to East Texas organizations that are helping to fight the opioid epidemic. According to our news partner KETK, the grants are a part of $21.2 million in funds that the council distributed to organizations across the state. Officials called the statewide grants a milestone in the fight against opioid abuse.

“Today represents a significant milestone,” Texas Comptroller and council chair Kelly Hancock said on Sept. 17. “For the first time, the Council has awarded grants to communities in every region of our state. We look forward to seeing how these resources will change lives, as local organizations put them to work supporting individuals and families impacted by the opioid crisis across Texas.”

The following five East Texas organizations were awarded $1,198,845 in grants to help support their opioid recovery and treatment work:

• The Cenikor Foundation was awarded $250,000 for their recovery support services.
• The East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse was awarded $250,000 for their recovery support services.
• The Recovery Resource Council was awarded $221,229 for treatment and coordination of care.
• The Methadone Clinic of East Texas, LLC was awarded $229,869 for treatment and coordination of care.
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler was awarded $247,747 for treatment and coordination of care.

“I am honored, as part of the Council, to support organizations across the state that are working tirelessly to confront the opioid crisis,” Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council member Dr. Pedro Fernandez said. “By awarding these grants, we are empowering communities, expanding access to lifesaving care and building the capacity needed to bring hope and healing to the Texans most affected — a central goal of the Council’s mission.”

To learn more about the grants, click here.