NH Opioid Crisis: $46M Recovery Program Unveiled

CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire is set to open nine regional recovery hubs to help Granite Staters struggling with opioid addiction. Governor Chris Sununu this week unveiled a two-year, $45.8 million plan for a host of recovery resources, including medical help, group therapy and crisis lines.

"Taking that first step of asking for help for substance use disorder is often the hardest," Sununu said in a statement. "The model we are proposing is intended to make that first step the easiest."

Under the plan, regional recovery hubs would be organized in Concord, Nashua, Manchester, Dover, Laconia, Littleton, Berlin, Hanover and Keene — so help would be within an hour's drive for most Granite Staters.

Last year, 487 died of drug overdoses in New Hampshire, according to the state Attorney General and Medical Examiner. That was a slight increase from 2016's total of 485. The state has one of the highest per-capita drug overdoses rates in the country, according to federal statistics.

"New Hampshire ranks as one of the healthiest states in the nation, but this recognition masks the crippling effects of the opioid crisis," Sununu added.

New Hampshire's congressional delegation secured the $45.8 million set for the Granite State and administrators are set to finalize the funding September 30. The funding marks a massive increase over last year's $3.1 million federal designation for New Hampshire opioid recovery programs.

There was another sign of hope in the ongoing crisis this week when the 2,000th Nashua resident received recovery help through the Safe Station program.

In March, President Trump held a national address in Manchester and called opioid abuse a national public health emergency.

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• Nashua Opioid Crisis: 2,000+ Get Help With 'Safe Station'
• NH Awarded $46M For Opioid Recovery Programs
• Trump: Opioid Overdoses A 'Public Health Emergency'

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