The Maryland Department of Health has issued a request for applications (RFA) for the state's Opioid Restitution Fund, aiming to address the widespread impact of opioid misuse and the overdose crisis. This initiative is designed to support programs that combat opioid misuse and treat related disorders.
"As health leaders, we are responsible for ensuring that the people and communities struggling with opioids have the resources they need. Through this RFA, we will identify high-need organizations and fund effective, evidence-based programs to maximize our impact," stated Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Laura Herrera Scott. "This funding, which is from prescription opioid manufacturers and distributors, is available to help the Marylanders who need it most."
In 2023, Maryland recorded 2,513 fatal overdoses, according to preliminary data from the Vital Statistics Administration.
The RFA will allocate funds to multiple applicants for a two-year period, with an additional option year contingent on funding availability. The Department of Health will prioritize applications that align with the following objectives, reflecting recommendations from Maryland's Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council:
- Provision of Naloxone or other FDA-approved drugs to reverse opioid overdoses.
- Distribution of medication-assisted treatment and other opioid-related treatments.
- Support for pregnant and postpartum women.
- Expansion of treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome.
- Enhancement of warm hand-off programs and recovery services.
- Treatment programs for the incarcerated population.
- Implementation of prevention programs.
- Expansion of syringe services programs.
The Opioid Restitution Fund was established in 2019 to manage funds received by Maryland through legal settlements with prescription opioid manufacturers and distributors. The Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council, created in 2022, provides guidance on the utilization of these settlement funds, which the state can use at its discretion.
Maryland is poised to receive up to $500 million from opioid-related legal settlements. These funds will be distributed through the Opioid Restitution Fund over the next 18 years.
Applications for the fund can be submitted via emma.maryland.gov by July 26, 2024. For more information on Maryland's Opioid Restitution Fund, visit stopoverdose.maryland.gov/orf.
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