The state of Alabama will be receiving $6.3 million in Federal Funding to help fight Opioid Addiction.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced grants last week to help fund community health centers and rural groups combating the sometimes-deadly painkillers.  Some of that money will also be used for schools working to expand and improve access to substance abuse treatment and mental health services.

Federal health authorities reported there were more than 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017 for a rate of 21.7 per 100,000 people – and statistics show a death rate even higher in some Alabama counties. 

Alabama had more than 5,100 overdoses from 2006 through 2014.

These grants are part of a nationwide program to fight what the government calls a crisis.

(AL.COM/www.al.com)