Applications will be accepted through Aug. 21 for grants from an opioid crisis recovery fund in Mesa County.

The Mesa County Regional Opioid Governance Council seeks proposals for settlement fund grants focused on recovery and treatment as well as education and prevention efforts. United Way of Mesa County will act as grant administrator for the funds.

“Mesa County has many existing strengths for addressing the opioid epidemic and substance use, but there are evidence-based interventions and supports that this funding will enable our county to access and implement,” said Dr. Ryan Jackman, medical director of the St. Mary’s Integrated Addiction Medicine Clinic. Jackman also serves as co-chairman of the Mesa County Regional Opioid Governance Board.

“It also allows our county the opportunity to innovate and pivot when needed to create local solutions to leverage our strengths and meet unique challenges,” Jackman said.

Grant proposals will be evaluated on the potential effects on regional goals and objectives as well as applicants’ plans to support diverse needs, feasibility and outcomes and evaluation.

An opioid epidemic continues to affect individuals, families and communities throughout Colorado.

Nearly 6,000 deaths due to opioid overdoses were reported in the past 10 years in the state. Yet only a third of what’s believed to be the needed drug treatment capacity is in place to address the situation.

Mesa County Public Health reported 47 opioid-related deaths and 109 overdose deaths with any substance between 2019 and 2021.

More than 70 percent of overdose deaths involve an opioid, and many of the opioids involved in overdose deaths are prescription medications.

In 2022, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and the Colorado Department of Law announced a settlement with major drug manufacturers that resulted in a $400 million in opioid settlement dollars for the state.

Mesa County received a portion of the opioid crisis recovery funds in late 2022 and released $710,000 from the Colorado opioid crisis recovery fund settlement to five local agencies during the first two-year grant cycle.

With another round of funding coming soon, Mesa County has opened its second grant application process for local organizations.

Applications for opioid crisis recovery funds in Mesa County are available at https://uwmesacountygrants.grantplatform.com. For more information, contact Keira Auld with United Way of Mesa County at (970) 243-5364 or impact@uwmesacounty.org.