The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is providing up to $3.3 million to Oklahoma for substance abuse screening, intervention and referral.
The funding program allows health care workers in primary care centers, hospital emergency rooms, trauma centers and elsewhere to better identify underlying substance abuse problems and provide early intervention with at-risk substance users before more severe consequences occur.
The funds help build networks among medical institutions, treatment facilities and community services to ensure that individuals with substance abuse disorders receive the full range of health care services they need. Services include helping people realize they have an underlying mental or substance use problem and offering treatment.
Kana Enomoto, the agency's deputy administrator, says educating patients about the risks of substance misuse helps avoid harm and improve health.