St. Luke’s Miners receives $1M grant to fight opioid crisis

The Health Resources and Services Administration or HRSA, has awarded St. Luke’s Miners Campus a $1 million grant to help combat the opioid crisis.

St. Luke’s Miners in Coaldale was one of 80 grantees in the country and one of five organizations in the state of Pennsylvania to receive the award. These funds, part of the HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program, will be disbursed over three years in an effort to provide needed opioid use disorder prevention programs and recovery services.

According to government data, the St. Luke’s Miners Campus patient population is at high risk for substance use disorder, and the prevalence of opioid use disorder, opioid overdoses and opioid overdose mortality are all higher than national rates.

“We are grateful for the Health Resources and Services Administration’s financial support of this important, collective effort to improve the health and well-being of our community.” said president of St. Luke’s Miners, Wendy Lazo.

St. Luke’s Miners Campus has established a steering committee, consisting of certified recovery specialists and rural partners such as rural health center staff, which will guide planning efforts.

“St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital serves as a vital part of the community and helps to provide quality care to our residents,” said U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, (D-Berks County). “This important funding will expand opioid prevention and treatment service and help residents move towards recovery.”