Local Rotarians have convinced the international organization to lend its support in the battle against opioid addiction in the Southern Tier.
The Rotary Foundation has awarded a Rotary Global Grant of $107,000 to address the epidemic of heroin and other opioids in a seven-county region of the Southern Tier.
19 clubs, including 4 from outside the U.S., teamed up to sponsor the grant request which will pay for prevention, treatment, transportation and public awareness.
Tuesday, members of several local clubs came to a meeting of the Binghamton Noon Rotary Club to get an update from Carmela Pirich, Executive Director of the Addiction Center of Broome County.
It was her presentation on the heroin crisis to the club that inspired the grant application.
Penny Stringfield, who lost her son to an overdose death, had invited her to speak.
“She was a little hesitant and reluctant, wasn’t really sure at that point about how the business community was going to feel about her message. And it’s such proof to me how something like this can snowball and bring this incredible grant to fruition,” said Stringfield.
ACBC is expected to receive more than $17,000 from the grant.
It plans to use the money to purchase medical equipment for four new exam rooms