Low‐barrier treatment at SSPs get almost $20 million from California

Last week the U.S. Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) awarded $19,314,520 to 25 organizations to support low‐barrier opioid treatment at syringe services programs (SSPs) from Sept. 30, 2024, through Sept. 29, 2027. Awardees include SSPs providing or supporting health care services in California, such as assessment, prescription and management of medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). “DHCS continues to increase early and focused interventions and treatment to address opioid and substance use disorders,” said California DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “This funding will help prevent opioid overuse and addiction, address opioid use disorders safely and effectively, and help reduce overdose deaths.” This funding opportunity, under the State Opioid Response (SOR) IV federal grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, provides resources to continue projects from the SOR III federal grant. SSP projects offer low‐barrier access to treatment of OUD and related supportive services, such as case management and peer support.