The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded Montgomery County a $4.4 million grant to help the county fight overdoses, writes Justin Heinze for Patch.

Pennsylvania, including Montgomery County, continues to face an ongoing opioid crisis with approximately 5,147 drug overdose deaths in the state in the last year, according to CDC data.

County officials, however, are optimistic that the grant which will fund a 5-year cooperative agreement between Montgomery County and the CDC will help save more lives.

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will use the money to increase harm reduction strategies and reduce the stigma associated with treatment.

“We are thrilled to award this grant to Montgomery County and support their continued effort to prevent drug overdose and improve the lives of residents,” CDC Division of Overdose Prevention Director Grant Baldwin, said.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health, and Philadelphia and Allegheny counties also received grants.

Read more about the partnership between Montgomery County and the CDC at Patch.

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The CDC’s message on vaping.