Congressman Sorensen Announces More Than $1 Million in Federal Funding for Chestnut Health Systems
Chestnut Health Systems Was Awarded More Than $1 Million to Fund Drug Addiction Research
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced Chestnut Health Systems was awarded $1.1 million in federal funding to help address drug addiction in Illinois’ 17th district.
“Many of our neighbors struggling with addiction are falling through the cracks and ending up in the criminal justice system without access to the resources they need to get back on their feet,” said Congressman Sorensen. “Having visited Chestnut Health Systems myself, I know how impactful their research is on Central Illinoisans and I’m excited to announce this federal funding to help our neighbors get the support they need.”
“While the rate of opioid, stimulant and alcohol related overdose deaths has started to decline in the past year – it is only down to the 2019 levels and are still historically high,” said Dr. Michael Dennis, Chief Research Officer, Chestnut Health System’s Lighthouse Institute. “One of the groups at highest risk for substance use related deaths are people in the criminal legal system. Unfortunately, this is also a complex context and relatively understudied population. This grant led by Dr. Ashli Sheidow will bring together scientific experts in this area with a National Community Board of people with lived experience in addiction, recovery and the legal system to advise these and other researchers in the area on study design, implementation, interpretation, and dissemination. It will also provide essential training, support, and mentoring to researchers and conduct rapid research projects conceptualized and conducted in partnership with people with direct lived experience.”
Chestnut Health Systems in Bloomington is receiving a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for research into drug addiction. Specifically, the grant will be used to fund a center supporting research projects studying the barriers individuals in the criminal justice system face in accessing safe and effective drug treatment and recovery services, centering the voices of those with lived experience.