U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) applauds the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) approval of a $100,000 grant for Operation UNITE to continue battling the drug abuse epidemic in southern and eastern Kentucky. The competitive grant includes $50,000 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Operation UNITE's holistic approach to curb addiction and save lives is now a national model of success, and this funding will help expand the organization's impact," said Congressman Rogers, who helped launch UNITE in 2003. "The ARC and the CDC have been instrumental partners in the ongoing work here at home and on the national stage at the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit. I applaud their commitment to this life-saving effort in the Appalachian region."

Every day, approximately 91 Americans die from an opioid-related overdose, according to the CDC. Operation UNITE has worked diligently to save lives and change the stigma surrounding addiction through education, prevention and treatment efforts in schools and communities across the service region. The funding will be used to strengthen UNITE's strategic plan to reflect the rapid changes in drug trends and related public health communications. 

“It’s exciting to begin a strategic planning process that will enable Operation UNITE to expand upon the prevention, education, treatment and law enforcement initiatives that have been successful across southern and eastern Kentucky for the past 13 years," said Nancy Hale, President and CEO of Operation UNITE. "A strategic plan will enable UNITE to strengthen its current mission to empower individuals and communities struggling with the devastating impacts of substance abuse and misuse.”

UNITE has committed $25,000 in matching funds for the grant program. 

To learn more about Operation UNITE and the 2017 National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit, visit operationunite.org. 

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