UCHRA Seeking $3 Million In Grants To Combat Substance Abuse

The UCHRA is seeking nearly $3 million in grant funding to combat the region’s substance abuse crisis.

Executive Director Mark Farley said the money will go towards uniting other agencies and programs addressing drug addiction.

“Anybody that needs help that has an idea of how to tackle the substance abuse issue, we want to assist in that process,” Farley said. “We want to make sure all the communities are being equally served and all agencies are being helped.”

Farley said one of the goals with the grant funding is to establish a long-term treatment facility to help those recovering from addiction.

“Many of our residents are not only traveling outside of our region. Many times, they’re traveling outside the state to find treatment programs,” Farley said. “I was very fortunate to have a conversation with a member of the Governor’s office about that very issue. The individual I was speaking with said [Governor Bill Lee] realizes the need we have for long-term treatment facilities.”

The UCHRA hired Glen Sayes in April as a new substance abuse program coordinator to spearhead the initiative.

Farley said Sayes will be a crucial piece in getting the program off the ground and bringing organizations together.

“You’ve got treatment providers. You’ve got those who are striving to keep people from even starting to get addicted to drugs. There’s the employment issue of it,” Farley said. “What we’ve asked Glen to do first and foremost is come into our region and catalog all the assets we have. What do we have, what programs do we have, what services do we have, and most importantly what don’t we have.”

The agency had already applied for $2 million in grant funds prior to Wednesday’s executive committee meeting. The committee voted to approve an application for the additional $1 million.