Several agencies knowledgeable about opioids and opioid addiction are receiving funds from Butler County’s share of opioid settlement money — splitting $736,490 between six programs.

The organization receiving the largest amount of money, $393,200, is the Nonprofit Development Corporation, which will use the funds for its recovery center. Recovery centers are necessary for people undergoing addiction treatment so they can get reintegrated into society in a way that avoids drug use.

Hope is Dope, an addiction recovery initiative operated through Butler County Community College, is organized by people who understand addiction, some of whom having gone through it firsthand. Hope is Dope will be able to use the $92,000 from Butler County’s opioid settlement funds to organize events, and provide materials and programs to people undergoing addiction treatment. Some of these events include Hope Nights, where the recovery community meets for activities and the sharing of stories, and classes where anyone can learn about the science behind addiction.

Another BC3 program, its Personal Empowerment Initiative, will receive $21,000 from the county. The Personal Empowerment Initiative is a new program at BC3 which aims to educate individuals on emotional intelligence training and offers participants the tools and techniques to build self-confidence.

The Center for Community Resources was awarded $71,883 for its housing coordinator position and reintegration apartment program for this year. It is another organization providing housing help for people in recovery.

The Recovery Empower Institute LLC will receive $103,195 to run the LIFE Medication Assisted Treatment Support Group for the year.

Finally, three EMS services — Butler Ambulance Service, East Butler Volunteer Fire Company Ambulance Service and Quality EMS — will share $25,000 for the EMS Opioid Treatment Incentive program. EMS agencies and their staff members are familiar with treating people going through opioid emergencies like overdoses, and the money could be used to buy equipment necessary for that purpose, including naloxone.

Let’s hope the money can make a difference in the lives of people going through addiction in Butler County.

— ET