Tempe receiving $2 million grant for naloxone, other opioid treatments

PHOENIX — Tempe was chosen as one of 12 cities, counties or tribal governments nationwide to receive a federal grant for naloxone, a treatment for opioid overdoses.

The grant, which was given by the substance abuse and mental health services administration, is worth $2 million. The city will receive $500,000 per year of the program.

Tempe Police Department applied for the grant with Arizona State University and La Frontera EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center.

“The Tempe Police Department is consistently exploring ways to reduce harm in Tempe,” Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moir said in a press release.

“This grant, along with the addition of naloxone for our officers to carry on a day-to-day basis, provides an all-inclusive approach to save lives. The collaboration with Arizona State University and La Frontera EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center allows a holistic approach to end the cycle of addiction.”

The grant-funded program includes a full-time officer assigned to the project, naloxone for 250 Tempe police officers and case management services up to 60 days for each individual case.

Officers will be equipped with the potentially life-saving drug following proper training.

Throughout the course of the four-year grant, ASU’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice will record data to determine the effectiveness of the training and impact on the community.
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