USDA Working TO Help Fight Opioid Epidemic

Ann Hazlett, USDA's Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development says the agency is ready to help fight the opioid epidemic.

"First, I want to point out that we have a number of program resources that can be used to help communities with prevention, treatment and recovery."

During this fiscal year, she says the priority will be on distance learning and tele-medicine programs that address the opioid crisis.

"This program provides grant assistance to communities that want to build that remote connection that will help them access critical health services. We have around $5 million in grant funding that we have set aside to our community facilities program and this is designed, really, to help communities with an investment, whether it's in equipment or in infrastructure."

The deadline for applying for these grants is June 4th. To learn more, visit the USDA’s Website.

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