The city of St. Petersburg, Florida, is using $1 million from an opioid settlement to support nonprofit organizations addressing the opioid crisis through treatment and recovery services.
St. Petersburg will receive $6 million over 18 years as part of the settlement.
The city aims to fund innovative proposals to fill gaps in community resources not covered by existing sources, according to a news release.
FLORIDA TRANSIT AGENCY INCREASING ACCESSIBILITY OF NARCAN TO HELP REVERSE OPIOID OVERDOSES
The city of St. Petersburg, Florida, is allocating $1 million from an opioid settlement to nonprofit organizations working to address the opioid crisis through treatment and recovery support services. (iStock)
Grants will support respite housing, overdose prevention, substance use prevention and education, harm reduction, and peer support, with priority to respite housing, harm reduction, and peer support proposals.
“There’s never enough help for addiction as rates continue to increase,” said Matthew Schaefer, director of operations for Real Recovery Solutions, in an interview with Fox 13.
Real Recovery Solutions, which operates sober living facilities in Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area, is not eligible for the grant but collaborates with eligible nonprofits to utilize the funds, as reported by the outlet.
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As part of the settlement, St. Petersburg will receive $6 million over 18 years. (REUTERS/George Frey/File Photo)
“[Nonprofits] will fund maybe two to three weeks of sober living to give recovering addicts a chance to find a job and start paying their own rent,” Schaefer explained.
Schaefer highlighted the need for more accessible and affordable detox treatment in the region, as many centers have long waitlists or require full payment or insurance.
Grants will be awarded to proposals that offer respite housing, overdose prevention, substance use prevention and education, harm reduction and peer support. (AP)
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“[Addicts] are told, ‘hey, you know, we’re three to five days out from a bed.’ There’s a lack of resources for our underfunded or noninsured community. I think that that could be a big help. Unfortunately, that three to five days could really, truly be life or death,” Schaefer noted.
Nonprofit groups had until October 20 to apply for grant funding through the city of St. Petersburg.
