Vermont will get $4 million during the next four years from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent overdose deaths caused by prescription opiate drugs.
Governor Peter Shumlin's office announced Friday that Vermont will be one of 16 states to get funding under the CDC program. The aim is to improve safe prescribing practices to better prevent opioid drug misuse, dependence, diversion and overdose.
The Health Department will join the Department of Vermont Health Access, Vermont's Blueprint for Health, the University of Vermont Office of Primary Care, and an advisory group of stakeholders in administering the money.
Goals include enhancements to the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System, improved training for medical professionals, and research with users to better understand the path to addiction.
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