White House announces $17 million to curb opioid use

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration has announced that it will spend $17 million to help law enforcement agencies deal with the increase in heroin and opioid abuse.

At the same time, the administration is using the announcement to encourage Congress to meet President Barack Obama's call for $1.1 billion in new funding to help states expand access to treatment.

The administration says the spending announced Wednesday will support an array of projects to disrupt drug trafficking, increase the use of the drug naloxone to reverse overdoses and train medical providers on safe prescribing practices.

Congress has approved legislation aimed at curbing heroin and opioid drugs. Obama signed the bill into law last month, but the president said he was deeply disappointed about funding levels. The bill authorized $181 million in new spending.

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