$2.1M to go for addiction services

CareFirst to give grants to 11 community health groups in Md., Va., D.C.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield announced plans Tuesday to award about $2.1 million in grants to 11 community health organizations in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia — a move that health care and government officials hope will boost addiction treatment efforts.

CareFirst officials, along with Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, announced the grants at a news conference Wednesday, emphasizing the urgent need to address the soaring number of drug- and alcohol-related deaths in Maryland. In 2017, the state reported an all-time high of 2,282 deaths stemming from drugs and alcohol. The11 grants: The Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation was granted $150,000 to ex- pand outpatient services and train the county’s emergency department providers to administer Suboxone — a medication that suppresses drug cravings and withdrawal — to patients.

The Arlington County Community Service Board was granted $250,000 to add primary care staff, peer recovery coaches and other services in Northern Virginia.

The Association for the Public Defender of Maryland was granted $382,000 to provide outpatient screening, treatment, referrals, case management and peer support to justice-involved individuals in Frederick and Washington counties.

The Behavioral Health Leadership Institute was granted $198,674 to offer medication-assisted treatment for opioid-addicted individuals leaving the Baltimore detention center.

Catholic Charities of Baltimore was granted $150,000 to expand capacity for integrated treatment for co-occurring substance use disorders in Baltimore City and Baltimore County;

Family and Medical Counseling Service was granted $200,000 to expand access to screening, intervention, referrals, peer sup- port and Narcan Washington.

The Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy was granted $111,000 to enhance triage and care coordination for individuals seeking access to treatment services.

Health Care for the Homeless was granted $100,000 to improve screening, intervention, referral to treatment services and Narcan kits at its Baltimore facilities.

Tuerk House was granted $133,789 to increase access to an intensive outpatient program that provides group therapy services, case management, medicationassisted treatment and referral support.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore Foundation was granted $212,172 to bolster substance use disorder telemedicine capability for residents of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The Western Maryland Health System Foundation was granted $200,000 to establish a community-based crisis center that will provide outpatient screening, assessment, intervention and referral services. kits to patients in