States get OK to shift U.S. opioid funding to growing meth, cocaine problems

Federal money that states get to combat the opioid crisis will be available starting next year to address the growing problem in the U.S. with methamphetamine cocaine and other psychostimulant addiction.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman announced recently that a bipartisan bill he sponsored called Combating Meth and Cocaine Act was approved, which means that states will have more flexibility in spending Opioid Response Grant funds.

The resurgence in meth and cocaine has been evident in Ohio and Kentucky for a few years, and there's been an increase in overdose deaths in which meth and cocaine have been detected.

Most of the meth in the United States is highly potent, coming from Mexico, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Health officials in several states have been urging the federal government for months for flexibility in spending anti-opioid money. 

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"There's no question that this is the right thing to happen. It really gives us the flexibility we're going to need to treat people," said Patrick Tribbe, president and CEO of Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services. 

Most people with addiction use more than one drug, Tribbe added.

"We're seeing deaths related to meth and cocaine tick up," Tribbe said. The primary killer in the area region is fentanyl, a synthetic opiate that's generally is made oversees in rogue factories and often taints other drugs, according to the latest information from the Hamilton County Coroner's Office.

Portman introduced the legislation in June, saying that law enforcement, treatment providers and others fighting the opioid epidemic in Ohio expressed to him the rising use of meth and cocaine.

“I’m pleased that Congress has provided significant flexibility to support the efforts of states and local communities," Portman said.

Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services previously received about $5 million in State Opioid Response money. The money is doled out to treatment providers.