Governor and Council Approve Funds to Combat Substance Misuse in Monadnock Region

Press Release

Continuing her efforts to combat the heroin and opioid crisis and help save lives in every corner of the state, Governor Maggie Hassan applauded the Executive Council's bipartisan vote today to approve a contract with Southwestern Community Services in Keene to continue the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery's ongoing efforts to support providers across the state.

"The heroin and opioid crisis is the most urgent public health and safety challenge facing our state, and combating substance abuse and saving lives requires a comprehensive approach at all levels, in every corner of our state," Governor Maggie Hassan said. "This comprehensive approach must include supporting law enforcement and strengthening prevention, treatment and recovery, and this important contract will help strengthen our efforts in the Greater Monadnock Regional Public Health Network."

The contract with Southwestern Community Services in Keene will provide $211,500 in state and federal funds from the Governor's Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery to support the Regional Access Point Service Program in the Greater Monadnock Regional Public Health Network, which provides substance use disorder information, screening, evaluation and referral services.

The Executive Council also approved in a bipartisan vote today a federally funded contract for Master Licensed Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselors at the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).

"Our comprehensive approach to combat this horrible epidemic must also target our high rates of youth substance misuse, and providing additional resources to support counselors at the Division for Children, Youth and Families will help our vulnerable, at-risk youth, who themselves, or whose parents, may be struggling with addiction," Governor Hassan said.

Supported by 100 percent federal funding, the contract for DCYF will support Master Licensed Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselors at DCYF to provide substance misuse screening, training, consulting and referrals where substance misuse has been indicated in a DCYF case.

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