Funding Available to Support Training and Education Events for Professionals Around Opioid Abuse/Misuse in South Dakota

The effort is supported by South Dakota’s State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis and State Opioid Response, two federal grants provided through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to combat opioid addiction. The funding supports a comprehensive array of prevention, treatment, and recovery services based on the needs of states.

“Nationally, states have seen significant increases in opioid use,” said SD Department of Social Services Secretary Greg DeSautel, MD. “While South Dakota’s rate remains low, we have seen an increase in use.”

Training supported by this opportunity includes but is not limited to best practices for prescribing opioids, pain management, recognizing potential cases of substance use disorder, referral of patients to treatment programs, overdose prevention, increased awareness of the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, and education and awareness related to opioid use/misuse and related topics including Medication Assisted Treatment.

“This funding will support evidenced-based knowledge so behavioral health and health care providers are able to increase their professional competency regarding the dangers of opioids,” said Dr. DeSautel.

Eligible applicants include South Dakota-based organizations or associations that provide direct services and support to populations affected by opioid overdose, as well as those that offer training and education to professionals who serve those populations. Applications are available at dss.sd.gov and will be accepted on an ongoing basis as grant funds are available.

For more information about behavioral health services related to addiction or to find a behavioral health provider in your area, contact the Department of Social Services’ Division of Behavioral Health at 605-367-5236, toll-free at 1-855-878-6057 or online at http://dss.sd.gov/behavioralhealth/community/.