BUFFALO, N.Y. — The City of Buffalo handed out more than $2.5 million of its opioid settlement funds, including a big donation to the Save the Michaels organization.
Save the Michaels is getting $500,000 to create a six-month residential reintegration housing program.
The Buffalo Police and Fire departments will also receive more than $1 million that will be used for drug transport vehicles, counseling, and wellness programs.
Caz Recovery Systems is also getting just under $50,000 to help fund new staff training and certifications, with a focus on "cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma awareness, de-escalation techniques, and substance use-specific interventions."
"It's going to allow 15 women to have their life back," Avi Israel, founder of Save the Michaels, said of the money awarded to the organization. "We are going to make sure that the women get reintegrated into society, have access to education, have access to whatever treatment they need."
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said the Buffalo Fire Department has responded to 117 overdose calls in the last 30 days and administered 144 doses of Narcan so far this year.
Mayor Brown added that the city expects more money from the opioid settlement fund to be given out in the future.
“I commend these organizations for their hard work and dedication to addressing opioid and drug addiction in our city,” Mayor Brown. “With these funding allocations, we are doing our part to fight the opioid epidemic and to heal individuals who are suffering from addiction.”
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