The HHS provided the second installment of the Opioid State Targeted Response grants. In total, the 50 states, four U.S. territories and the free associated states of Palau and Micronesia received $485 million.
The grants were created by the 21st Century Cures Act, and it is part of HHS' five-pronged strategy to mitigate the opioid crisis.
In the first year of receiving the grants, states deployed medication-assisted treatment, urged the use of naloxone and built sustainable recovery support services systems. They also implemented communication campaigns.
"These [new] funds will help support evidence-based efforts at the state level to prevent misuse of opioids in the first place, expand access to effective treatment options for people in need, and support recovery for those who have prevailed," said HHS Secretary Alex Azar.