PHOENIX -- Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced today that the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has awarded $1,500,000 in grant funding to three non-profits to provide opioid abuse education, treatment, and prevention to individuals living in rural communities. The grants will fund opioid treatment services in six counties and provide services to nearly 4,000 at-risk individuals including children, women, and homeless veterans.
The grant funds come as a result of the AGO’s February 2021 settlement with McKinsey & Company (McKinsey), which resolved investigations into the company’s role in helping fuel the opioid crisis.
The grant awards are as follows:
- Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs (Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, and Yuma Counties)- $498,588.75
- Westcare Arizona (Mohave County) - $500,000.00
- U.S. Vets - Prescott (Yavapai County) - $499,597.71
Arizona Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
Approximately $500,000 in AGO funding will help support the Boys & Girls Club Opioid and Substance Abuse Prevention guide, which includes prevention strategies, tools, and resources tailored to the clubs. The grant will help serve approximately 3,300 youth at 15 sites in rural counties.
In 2018, Boys & Girls Clubs of America developed an Opioid & Substance Use Prevention guide (OSUP) in collaboration with the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. OSUP provides educational materials and substance abuse prevention strategies, which are integrated into activities and mentor training.
Westcare
$500,000 in AGO funding will be utilized by Westcare Arizona to expand and enhance its Journey to Recovery program, which provides treatment and recovery services to at-risk adults in Mohave County.
The money will help 150 people. It will also help staff members screen and assess 100% of clients receiving services and provide a treatment plan within the first 30 days. The Journey to Recovery program also provides women’s residential treatment, peer support for men and women, opioid overdose reversal medication (Narcan), and overdose prevention education.
U.S. Vets – Prescott
U.S. Vets Prescott will use the AGO funding for additional staffing and training to broaden and support the organization’s model dual diagnosis substance use disorder and behavioral health program at the Prescott facility. Services will help 300 homeless or at-risk veterans. The behavioral health program will assist veterans in the healing process, cultivate positive change behaviors, and help them live healthier lives through individual treatment, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, psycho-education classes, and other services.
AGTV sat down with Executive Director of U.S. Vets, Carole Benedict about how the grant money will go a long way in providing critical services in Prescott.