Millions of dollars will be flowing into Nevada to help battle an epidemic that costs us all.
The national opioid epidemic has hit Nevada hard.
It costs us all in terms of crime, health care and lost productivity at work.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Nevada has one of the highest rates of painkillers prescribed, and one of the highest overdose death rates per capita in the United States.
Drug abusers often turn to crime to feed their addictions.
As a result, our criminal justice system can get overburdened dealing with people who need treatment -- not jail -- to break the cycle.
The nation's opioid epidemic is among the top three priorities for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The feds have found that many addicts find recovery through drug courts.
Due to the scope of the problem in our state, Nevada drug courts will be getting up to $3.2 million over several years to fund drug court programs.
The focus will be on addicts in the criminal justice system and those who also have mental health disorders.
The feds say expanding access to treatment and recovery services is key in fighting the opioid abuse epidemic.
The money coming to Nevada will be targeted at improving recovery outcomes, reducing the burden on our criminal justice system and improving public safety.
