MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is awarding $8 million in grants to counties and tribal agencies in the state to support opioid and stimulant treatment services.

The grants will be used to increase access to services and medication for thousands of Wisconsin residents that are seeking treatment for opioid and stimulant use disorders.

“Improving access to treatment is a critical part of our plan to reduce the hurt and heartbreak caused by the epidemic of problem drug use we’re living with statewide,” Kirsten Johnson, DHS Secretary-designee, said. “These grants will enable our local partners to remove the financial barriers to effective treatment, allowing more people to experience the promise of recovery. Recovery is possible for everyone.”

The grant awards are funded through a federal program that has allocated $33.8 million to Wisconsin over a two-year period. Other projects the DHS is investing in with the money include the Dose of Reality and Real Talks Wisconsin initiatives, as well as distributing NARCAN and funding community-based support groups.

#DHSWI has awarded $8 million for opioid and stimulant treatment services. Tribal nations and county agencies will use this funding from the State Opioid Response Grant Program to support local needs. Get the details at https://t.co/y5FHbuM2j3#opioids #Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/qAlfQFolOQ

— WIDeptHealthServices (@DHSWI) April 25, 2023

Grants were awarded based on existing treatment services and the need for more services as well as the type of services that would be provided under the grant. The recipients are:

Tribal Agencies

• Forest County Potawatomi: $93,000
• Ho-Chunk Nation: $238,134
• Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa: $268,682

County Agency

• Columbia County: $175,055
• Dane County: $269,535
• Dunn County: $143,646
• Green County: $177,983
• Jefferson County: $116,610
• Kenosha County: $365,214
• La Crosse County: $359,933
• Manitowoc County: $731,590
• Menominee County: $335,323
• Milwaukee County: $1,503,450
• Monroe County: $260,679
• North Central Health Care (Lincoln, Langlade, and Marathon counties): $216,367
• Racine County: $243,107
• Richland County: $129,907
• Rock County: $575,719
• Sauk County: $271,502
• St. Croix County: $259,828
• Unified Community Service (Iowa and Grant counties): $434,778
• Vilas County: $215,582
• Washington County: $231,387
• Waukesha County: $155,367
• Winnebago County: $313,422

The DHS said that if you or someone you know is in need of financial help or treatment for opioid or stimulant use disorders, to contact your tribal nation or county health and human services agency. You can also search the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline’s website or call 211 for information on local treatment and recovery supports.