Arizona AGO grants $6 million to organizations combating opioid crisis

PHOENIX — The office of Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Thursday it has awarded $6 million in funding to 11 organizations that treat opioid use disorder, lead prevention efforts and educate youth on the dangers of opioids.

The grants will go to services in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties.

Recipients include the Banner Health Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of the Valley in Maricopa and Pinal counties, Boys & Girls Club of Tucson, U.S. Vets Phoenix, Valley Hope Foundation and Maggie’s Place, according to a press release.

Banner Health was awarded $599,479 for its Substance Use Telehealth for Arizona Rural Communities program and $599,328 for the Family-Centered Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Program.

“Substance use disorder has continued to increase during the pandemic, and inequity exists in rural areas because there are fewer providers to serve this population,” Dr. Maria Manriquez who oversees the STARC program said in a press release.

“The award Banner received from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office settlement will help develop and implement a telehealth addiction medicine program that will serve Maricopa and our rural counties.”

U.S. Vets Phoenix will receive $600,000 to provide prevention and treatment services for opioid use disorder.

Boys & Girls Clubs members will receive education to prevent the misuse of opioids, while Maggie’s Place’s $599,632 in funding will support the treatment of homeless pregnant or parenting women with opioid use disorder.

“These funds allow us to walk alongside our mothers through pregnancy and beyond,” Laura Magruder, CEO of Maggie’s Place, said in the release. “For over 20 years, Maggie’s Place has been providing housing and direct services promoting stability, resiliency, and healthy families.”

The AGO additionally distributed $4.5 million to treat addiction and mental health $1.5 million to education and treatment for those in rural communities in July.

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