HHS pledges $100M to combat national drug addiction epidemic

The Department of Health and Human Services is pledging $100 million to fight the national drug epidemic, according to The Hill.

The money will go to community health centers in 11 states which are currently leading the way in the fight against opioid addictions. One-third of the funding will be applied to addiction-fighting medications.

Deaths from substances such as heroin and prescription painkillers have reached record levels. Heroin overdose deaths doubled between 2011 and 2013 and quadrupled from 2002 to 2013.

"This is money that will make a difference in your states, so let's do it together," said Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell.

Ms. Burwell has met with various governors to create the drug combating strategy.

The administration is also working to make it easier for states to get waivers that enable them to use "innovative treatment approaches" and still receive federal funding.

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