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Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry (AR-01), Vic Snyder (AR-02) and Mike Ross (AR-04) today announced that the Arkansas Department of Human Services will receive a total of $3,484,941 to expand treatment and services for Arkansans struggling with drug and alcohol addiction as well as related mental health problems. Funds will also be used to improve the data system that stores information on patients being treated for substance abuse and mental health disorders.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services will use $3,352,000 to provide vouchers that patients will be able to use to receive treatment and support services at mental health clinics, community organizations and faith-based organizations in 12 Arkansas counties: Benton, Craighead, Crawford, Faulkner, Garland, Jefferson, Lonoke, Pulaski, Saline, Sebastian and Washington and White Counties.
The program will target Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, National Guard members, those with multiple DWI offenses, pregnant women and parents of young children. Funds will support medical and dental care, mental health services, child care, and counseling and other recovery services for approximately 7,649 additional patients over the next four years.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services will also use $132,941 to improve its data system, which contains information on patients who are treated for drug abuse and mental health disorders at 13 community health providers, two specialty mental health clinics and the Arkansas State Hospital. Improvements will help ensure that health care providers have better access to relevant information about their patients and can combine mental health and substance abuse treatment records.
"This funding will ensure that Arkansans who are struggling with addiction get the treatment and support services they need to stay away from alcohol and drugs and take their lives in a positive direction," Lincoln said. "For those struggling with addiction, being able to access life saving help is not only a benefit to the individual, but also to the community in which he or she resides."
"Drug and alcohol addiction ruins lives and tears apart families," Pryor said. "This investment will allow more Arkansans to receive the treatment and support necessary to fight their addictions, address related mental health disorders, and lead healthy, successful lives."
"There are many Arkansans that suffer from drug or alcohol addiction, and the worst thing we can do is turn our back on them," Berry said. "Addiction and related mental health problems are treatable diseases, and by providing this funding to our mental health providers we can save lives."
"Substance abuse and mental illness are important public health issues. I am pleased these funds will support and expand treatment services," Snyder said.
"Without the necessary treatment or therapy, drug and alcohol dependence can seriously affect an individual’s mental health and hinder their quality of life," Ross said. "I’m pleased to help announce this funding for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. This investment will help provide our state with essential services and resources to enhance programs for those afflicted by drug and alcohol dependence."
"We are elated over the opportunity to win a grant of this magnitude that will enable us to provide drug and alcohol treatment and recovery support services for 7,649 Arkansans over the next four years," said Joe M. Hill, Director of the Office of Alcohol and Drug Prevention in the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Behavior Health Services. "We will take full advantage of this opportunity to get those individuals struggling with addiction the help they need to improve their lives and become productive citizens."
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