MANHATTAN — Prevention efforts are being stepped up locally to help combat opioid abuse.
The Riley County Health Department found out last week it received a $75,000 federal grant through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to partially fund those prevention efforts. Health Department Director Jennifer Green says the money will be used to ramp up training efforts to local health officials and entities and help develop a needs assessment.
Green says the grant also allows for mental health first aid training and identifying adverse childhood experiences to help health officials identify high risk individuals early on.
Green adds that the grant will allow for comprehensive prevention training locally.
While the opioid crisis may not be as significant in Kansas as it is on the coasts, Green says the health department wants to be proactive now versus reactive and look into ways to help clients who may be struggling.
The grant funding continues through Aug. 31, 2019 and will also see an increase in opioid prevention advocacy through Riley County publicity and social media.
