Federal grant secures $1.05 million for Eastern Oregon addiction and recovery

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today more than $1 million in federal grant funding to strengthen addiction and recovery services in Eastern Oregon.

The $1.05 million award is intended to expand local treatment options and combat the ongoing opioid epidemic in rural areas.

The grant comes from the Health Resources and Services Administration's Rural Communities Opioid Response Program.

The federal funding is awarded to the Oregon Washington Health Network, a Pendleton-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care access in the region.

The funding will support service delivery across four Pacific Northwest counties: Umatilla, Union and Morrow counties in Oregon, as well as Walla Walla County in Washington. The non-profit organization focuses on health equity and plans to use the funds to expand treatment options and recovery pathways for both substance use disorder and opioid use disorder.

U.S. Sen. Wyden noted that rural communities face unique hurdles when addressing substance abuse. “The opioid epidemic continues to harm communities across the state, especially in rural areas that often have limited addiction treatment resources,” Wyden said. “I applaud this federal award to the Oregon Washington Health Network that will strengthen addiction and recovery services for Eastern Oregonians and I will continue to fight for every possible resource to support mental health services and combat the opioid epidemic across Oregon.”

U.S. Sen. Merkley emphasized the impact of prescription painkillers on local residents. “I have heard heart-wrenching stories from Oregonians who have lost loved ones after a prescription for an injury or treatment turned into an addiction,” Merkley said. “Communities need access to addiction and treatment services and this critical support will help Pendleton improve access to critical services for opioid use disorder.”

Jenna Stenrud, executive director of the Oregon Washington Health Network, explained that rural health care access depends heavily on timing and location. “In rural communities, access isn't just about whether a service exists, but whether it's available when and where people actually need it,” Stenrud said. “These awards give us the opportunity to strengthen the services already working in our communities, expand peer and recovery supports and create new pathways for people to stay connected to recovery close to home.”