Attorney General Mark Brunovich announced today [Sept. 15th] The Arizona Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has awarded $6 million in grants to 11 organizations statewide to combat the opioid crisis. The funds will be used to help more than 21,000 children, pregnant women, mothers, veterans, and underserved communities with opioid abuse and underlying mental health-related issues.
“We are rapidly moving more resources to help the people of Arizona who have been devastated by the opioid crisis,” said General Brunovich. “The organizations receiving the grants are doing a great job of being on the front lines of this fight and helping affected families and communities.”
The grant will fund services in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties. The following groups were awarded grants:
- US Veteran Phoenix – $600,000
- 250 homeless and insecure veterans receive prevention and treatment services for opioid use disorder (OUD), other substance use disorders, and/or mental illness.
- Boys & Girls Club of the Valley (Maricopa and Pinal Counties) – $599,932
- 6,000 club members ages 5 to 17 in one of 27 clubs receive education to deter and prevent opioid misuse.
- Maggie’s Place – $599,632
- In Maricopa County, 130 homeless pregnant or nursing women with OUD and co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD)/mental health condition babies will be treated with babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
- Banner Health Foundation (STARC) – $599,479
- OUD/SUD telemedicine services will be provided by addiction medicine specialists to 2,950 individuals and family/caregivers in rural communities in Pinal County.
- Banner Health Foundation (FC-NAS) – $599,328
- 1,020 pregnant women and mothers with babies with OUD will be treated in the Family Centered Neonatal Abstinence Program (FC-NAS) in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties.
- Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH) – $597,186
- 6,000 people with SUD/OUD/co-occurring mental disorders in Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale will be treated. This includes people with very low incomes and no insurance.
- Valley Hope Foundation – $579,700
- The Chandler and Tempe treatment facility will treat 950 adults with OUD. Grants help pay for treatment costs for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, as well as additional personnel.
- Amity Foundation – $570,933
- As a result of the increased bed space provided by the grant, 12 additional people will be treated for OUD at the Pima County facility. The addict is from 30 days he stays for 7 months. His 80% of patients are Native American, and patients can bring their children with them for treatment.
- Honor Health – $444,270
- 300 people affected by the opioid crisis will receive treatment and services through the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program to help people in treatment and recover from OUD.
- Boys & Girls Club of the Sun Corridor (Pinal County) – $329,127
- 2,375 Pinal County youth, including 1,175 local school students and 1,200 club members, will receive education to prevent and discourage youth from using opioids.
- Pinal Hispanic Council – $276,831
- 550 Pinal County families and/or community members will participate in programs and educational activities designed to support loved ones who have family members who use opioids. The funds will not only provide treatment resources for addicts, but also educate communities on how to prevent opioid misuse and properly dispose of drugs.
- Boys & Girls Club of Tucson – $254,661
- 1,080 club members ages 5 to 17 in Pima County will be educated on how to avoid opioid and other dangerous substance abuse.
“Maggie’s Place is grateful for the investment from the Office of the Attorney General,” said Laura Magruder, CEO of Maggie’s Place. “These funds allow us to walk with mothers during and after pregnancy. For more than 20 years, Maggie’s Place has been a direct source of housing that promotes stability, resilience and healthy families. We have provided excellent service.”
Banner Health Foundation will receive over $1 million in grants.
Andy Kramer Petersen said, “We are grateful that these important funds have been awarded to address some of the most vulnerable populations here in Arizona: opioid use disorders. This includes mothers, newborns and people who may lack access and resources in rural areas.” , President and CEO of Banner Health Foundation. “As Arizona’s largest healthcare system, Banner Health is on the front lines of this crisis. These funds will help save countless lives.”
The grant came as a result of AGO’s settlement with McKinsey & Company in February 2021 to settle an investigation into the company’s role in fueling the opioid crisis. As a result of this settlement, AGO also provided a grant of $4.5 million. Treating Addiction and Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System and Awarded $1.5 million Donated to three non-profit organizations to provide opioid abuse education, treatment and prevention to individuals living in rural areas.
This news release was provided by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich.
