U.S. Secretary of Labor Announces Award of Nearly $20M to Combat Opioid Crisis

WASHINGTON—United States Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia recently announced the award of nearly $20 million in funding to four states as part of a new pilot program to address the health and economic impacts of widespread substance and opioid misuse, addiction and overdose by providing retraining and other services to workers in communities significantly impacted by the opioid crisis. The grantees are the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Maryland Department of Labor, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

In October 2018, President Trump signed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, which directed the Department to develop a pilot grant program focused on addressing the economic and workforce impacts associated with the high rate of substance use disorders. The Department’s grant program—“Support to Communities: Fostering Opioid Recovery through Workforce Development”—was created in response to the Act.

“Today’s announcement is another important step in the President’s and the Labor Department’s efforts to address the opioid crisis in the United States,” Scalia said. “Altogether, the Department is awarding nearly $20 million to help four States combat the devastating effects of opioids. I’m pleased to be in Piketon to announce a grant of $5 million to help communities in southern Ohio fight the ravages of the drug epidemic and grow stronger than ever.”

“Today’s funding represents this Administration’s continued commitment to serving those most in need,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training John Pallasch. “The U.S. Department of Labor is taking a strong stand to support individuals and communities impacted by the crisis.”