On Aug. 4, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández announced $1,524,625 in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Santa Fe Recovery Center, Inc. According to a press release, this funding aims to address the opioid epidemic and substance abuse issues in local communities.
“The scale of the opioid crisis demands that we tackle it with every available strategy. This grant is a vital investment in that continued fight. And I will keep pushing to ensure several key provisions included in our annual appropriations and defense authorization bills — including my FEND Off Fentanyl Act — are signed into law,” said Heinrich, according to the press release. “My focus is on delivering the funding and legislative solutions we need to stop the flow of these illicit substances before they ever hit our borders, hold those who traffic these substances within our borders accountable, and ensure those who are suffering from addiction receive the life-saving treatment they need.”
According to the press release, the funds will be utilized to support addiction treatment and recovery services, as well as overdose prevention efforts. Additionally, it will facilitate the growth of the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Access program that was designated by the delegation via the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Consolidated Appropriations bill. The program is aimed at streamlining outdated bureaucratic hurdles that prevent practitioners from prescribing essential medications like buprenorphine to patients in need, according to a press release.
“As the opioid crisis impacts New Mexico and states across the country, improving access to high quality care and recovery services must be a priority,” said Luján, according to the press release. “That’s why I’m glad to welcome this federal investment that will help address this crisis by investing in the Santa Fe Recovery Center. This funding will improve access to evidence-based treatments, like Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), that help reduce overdoses and keep New Mexicans on a path to recovery.”
“The opioid epidemic has taken too many of our mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters,” said Leger Fernández, according to the press release. “These grants will help the Santa Fe Recovery Center save lives. They will provide life-saving overdose prevention, addiction recovery, and mental health services for rural communities across the state. I will continue to work to make sure all New Mexicans have access to this type of life-saving care and services.”