BISMARCK, ND (KFYR) – Addiction treatment and prevention programs provide much-needed services to the community. Organizations like Heartview in Bismarck employ counselors to help people overcome drug addiction. However, they and similar organizations need money to provide those services. In January, the state of North Dakota received over seven million dollars in opioid settlement money. Representatives of mental health organizations recently met to report where those funds went. Heartview says they have allocated money for a new scholarship for addiction counselors.

“There’s just a lack of access to services, and that lack of access really just comes down to thinking, ‘I don’t have the professionals, I don’t have the licensed people to provide this treatment.’ So by funding the addiction specialist training academy program, we’re helping to change that, especially in areas like western North Dakota,” said Kurt Snyder, executive director of Heartview.

Snyder said in recent years they have been able to train about four counselors. This year they have 26. Bismarck is not the only city to benefit from this funding. Jonathan Layne of Endeavor Sober Living in Minot said they used the grant to purchase and renovate an apartment building for mothers recovering from addiction.

“Addiction is not a miracle cure that you can get rid of in 30 days. We are concerned with sustainability and the long term. We provide transportation to follow-up treatment and meetings and other things that the girls need for their work,” said Layne.

According to North Dakota Health and Human Services, nearly 900 North Dakota residents have benefited from these grants in the last six months.

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