Missouri Governor Announces $14.5 Million Grant to Expand Services for Substance Abuse Treatment

October 2, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt announced the state received a three year, $14.5 million federal grant to expand services for Missourians who need help for alcohol and other drug problems.

The Access to Recovery (ATR) grant program offers substance abuse treatment through a system that provides comprehensive assessment, professional treatment on a residential or outpatient basis, and recovery support services from faith-based organizations and other community groups. The recovery support service is a new component that is unique to this grant program.

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“We know that treatment for alcoholism and drug dependence works. It results in improved physical and mental health, better employment, reduced criminal activity, stronger families and safer communities,” Gov. Blunt said. “The Access to Recovery grant provides treatment and recovery support for individuals and families that are struggling with addiction. With this program, Missourians have a wider range of options for finding the right path to recovery.”

For Missouri, this is the second round of the ATR program, which is administered by the Department of Mental Health. In the first grant period, over 8,000 additional citizens were served and 122 faith-based and other community organizations were enrolled as recovery support providers. These recovery support services do not replace professional treatment but instead complement it.

“Addiction is a disease of isolation,” said Mark Stringer, director of the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. “As with many chronic illnesses, the best treatment is a holistic approach that includes medicine, counseling, case management, and spiritual support. Our experience in the first round of this grant proved that the combination of professional treatment and faith-based recovery supports results in significantly better outcomes.”

The new grant program is titled, “Missouri Access to Recovery II: Partnering for Excellence.” It will improve the statewide system, enhance clinical services, and further expand the network of recovery support providers. Although the program is open to all Missourians, priority will be given to certain critical populations, including methamphetamine users, veterans returning from the Iraq/Afghan war, and women with young children.

Gov. Blunt recently launched a new initiative entitled Faith-Based Missouri to strengthen partnerships between the state and Missouri’s faith-based community. The governor’s new initiative complements the Access to Recovery grant program. The grant program works with faith-based and community organizations to assist those who are struggling with substance abuse issues.

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administers the competitive grant program. Nationwide, more than 170,000 people with substance abuse problems have received help through Access to Recovery.

Source: Missouri Governor