Lake Butler Community Page News Tidbits

Submitted by Meridan Behavorial Healthcare

Meridian Behavioral Healthcare has been awarded a $525,000 grant over five years from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand and enhance the communities’ access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services for individuals who suffer prescription drug and opioid addiction (DOA).

The SAMHSA grant reflects Meridian’s mission to promote the health, recovery, and well-being of those affected by substance use disorders through prevention and coordinated treatment, and supportive services. The MAT-DOA grant supports responsible prescribing practices, breaking chronic cycles of addiction, and recovery support.

According to a Florida epidemiological study, the opioids responsible for overdose increases have changed over time in three distinct waves: prescription opioids, heroin, and currently illicitly produced fentanyl. As opioid use and overdoses rise in Florida and regionally, Meridian has seen a corresponding demand for MAT services.

“We want to reduce all barriers that we can for people getting into treatment and receiving services,” said Vice President of Medication Assisted Treatment Services, Sara Mihlfeld. “It will also offer opportunities for those who are uninsured or who do not have supported income to be able to come into the program.”

With the SAMSHA grant funding, Meridian plans to expand its program to at-risk populations, dedicate MAT clinic locations, and hire additional staff members such as physicians, nurse’s psychiatrists, and case managers. Meridian will also focus on increasing access for Meridian’s 13 serving counties that have the greatest need and barriers to service.

Additionally, the proposed project will give first admission priority to pregnant and postpartum women. According to a 2018 Florida Health Department report, Alachua, Columbia, Marion; and Putnam, have the highest of all 39 counties statewide reporting incidents on neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

“At Meridian, we prioritize admitting pregnant individuals and people who are using drugs, and those who are HIV positive to substance use treatment,” said Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Advancement, Joy Riddle. “We want to be there every step of the way to ensure their babies and themselves are safe.”

For more information on this grant expansion and all of Meridian’s centers, please visit

https://www.mbhci.org/treatment-and-service/outpatient-services/medication-assisted-treatment/

Sources: Gurka, K. K., & DeCanio, G. D. (2020). Patterns and Trends of Substance Use Within and Across the Regions of Florida Annual Report 2020. Retrieved from https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.fadaa.org/resource/resmgr/files/resource_center/2020_epi_a nnual_report.pdf