Wyden, Merkley Announce More Than $1 Million to Support Addiction and Recovery Services in Eastern Oregon

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced more than $1 million in federal awards to help combat the opioid epidemic and to support addiction and recovery services in Eastern Oregon.

"The opioid epidemic continues to harm communities across the state, especially in rural areas that often have limited addiction treatment resources," Wyden said. "I applaud this federal award to the Oregon Washington Health Network that will strengthen addiction and recovery services for Eastern Oregonians, and I will continue to fight for every possible resource to support mental health services and combat the opioid epidemic across Oregon."

"I have heard heart-wrenching stories from Oregonians who have lost loved ones after a prescription for an injury or treatment turned into an addiction," said Merkley. "Communities need access to addiction and treatment services, and this critical support will help Pendleton improve access to critical services for opioid use disorder."

The $1.05 million in federal awards from Health Resources and Services Administration's Rural Communities Opioid Response Program will be distributed to The Oregon Washington Health Network, a non-profit based in Pendleton dedicated to health equity in Umatilla, Union, and Morrow counties in Oregon, and Walla Walla County in Washington. The award will be used to improve access to treatment and recovery services for substance use disorder and opioid use disorder.

"In rural communities, access isn't just about whether a service exists, but whether it's available when and where people actually need it. These awards give us the opportunity to strengthen the services already working in our communities, expand peer and recovery supports, and create new pathways for people to stay connected to recovery close to home," said Jenna Stenrud, Executive Director of Oregon Washington Health Network.

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