N.H. gets additional $12M to help with opioid crisis, Operation Doorway

CONCORD - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the State of New Hampshire $11.9M in State Opioid Response supplemental funding on Friday, Gov. Chris Sununu's office announced on Friday.

The NH Department of Health and Human Services recently submitted a proposed plan to use the supplemental funding to eliminate barriers to treatment and recovery services.

"Here in New Hampshire, we are taking a whole new approach to tackling addiction and our federal partners in Washington, D.C. have taken notice," said the governor. "Two months ago, I sat down with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Seema Verma, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to highlight our state's early success with the State Opioid Response grant and made a strong request for supplemental funding as it becomes available."

Gov. Sununu added that the Granite State was one of the first states into this crisis and that with the additional funding he expected to be one of the first out of it.

New Hampshire created The Doorway, a new system to serve individuals in need of opioid use and substance use services. The supplemental funding will help people who are receiving services through The Doorway, including greater access to naloxone, residential treatment, and services such as co-pays, transportation, childcare, housing and other social services.

"The Doorway is addressing the opioid crisis in New Hampshire, and the supplemental funding will help people get the treatment they need and promote long-term recovery," said DHHS Commissioner Jeffrey A. Meyers. "The State will use the funds to further break down barriers to treatment and support people on their path to recovery. We commend SAMHSA for the additional funding opportunity."

In September 2018, New Hampshire received initial funding from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration of $45.8 million over two years. With the supplemental funding, the state has now received a total of $34.9M in year one SOR funding. For more information on New Hampshire's State Opioid Response Grant, please visit www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/bdas/sor.htm.