WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded over $1.2 million dollars to community health centers in Maine to help fight the opioid epidemic. The funding will expand the delivery of substance abuse services, including medication assisted treatment, with a focus on treatment of opioid use disorders.

"The heroin and opioid epidemic in this country is devastating far too many families across our country. In 2015, there were a record 272 overdose deaths in Maine, the vast majority due to heroin or prescription opioids, and the problem is only getting worse," Senators Collins and King said in a joint news release. "This significant investment will help our Community Health Centers that are fighting this crisis on the front lines in Waterville, Lincoln, Bangor, and Portland expand access to crucial lifesaving treatment for Mainers across our state. We remain committed to working with our partners at the federal level to seek every possible solution to this troubling, nationwide crisis."

The funding will be distributed among four community health centers in Maine including:

• Healthreach Community Health Centers in Waterville: $250,000
• Health Access Network, Inc. in Lincoln: $325,000
• Penobscot Community Health Center, Inc. in Bangor: $325,000
• Portland Community Health Center in Portland: $325,000

This week, the Senate passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, co-sponsored by Senators Collins and King, which would provide a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to help Americans combat the heroin and opioid epidemic devastating communities in Maine and across America.