VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Nov. 13 /CSRwire/ - Today, the AmerisourceBergen Foundation announced its collaboration with more than 20 not-for-profit organizations over the past year to provide necessary funding used to help mitigate prescription drug misuse and abuse. As part of the Foundation’s comprehensive approach to this national issue, it has also distributed nearly one million drug deactivation resources through its Safe Disposal Support Program to 44 states and 140 organizations across the U.S.
The AmerisourceBergen Foundation identified and developed comprehensive opioid misuse and abuse initiatives, including the Opioid Resource Grant Program and the Safe Disposal Support Program, to redefine best practices and advance innovative ideas from nonprofits with the goal of improving the wellbeing of communities around the world.
Since its establishment, the Opioid Resource Grant program has garnered significant interest from hundreds of nonprofit and grant-funded organizations seeking support to broaden current efforts toward curbing opioid abuse. During fiscal year 2018, the Opioid Resource Grant Program, under the guidance and leadership of an External Advisory Committee (EAC) comprised of key stakeholders, partnered with a variety of community-based organizations devoted to creating action-oriented solutions, including:
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Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
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Hope Within Initiative
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Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities
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Public Health Foundation of Columbia County
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Washington County Wellness Initiative
To date, the Foundation has received more than 300 letters of intent from not-for-profit organizations seeking support for opioid-related initiatives and provided more than $3.4M in grants and in-kind donations. Due to the growing volume of application proposals and demand, the Opioid Resource Grant Program recently established a second External Advisory Committee to assist with requests and support the grant-making decision process. The additional EAC includes influential thought leaders whose expertise span across public health, community-based grant-making and community coalition building.
“Our Foundation has strategically aligned itself to address today’s biggest health-related issues and concerns. The epidemic of opioid misuse is a complex, multi-faceted problem – and one that demands action, attention and a collaborative approach,” said Gina Clark, President of the AmerisourceBergen Foundation. “I look forward to the next phase of our Foundation’s work, as we continue to identify partnerships aligned to our mission that will help maximize our impact and drive sustained change.”
In recognition of the Foundation’s dedication and efforts to help mitigate the opioid crisis, Eluna (formerly The Moyer Foundation), a nonprofit supporting children and families impacted by grief or addiction, recently awarded the Foundation with its annual Corporate Partnership Award. As a long-term partner, Eluna and the Foundation have worked together over the years to reach underserved youth who have been impacted by a family member’s substance use disorder and provide them with addiction prevention resources and support services. This recent honor was in acknowledgement of the Foundation’s commitment and multi-pronged approach to identify strategic partners and combat controlled substance abuse and misuse across communities nationwide.
“We have been grateful for the continuous support of the AmerisourceBergen Foundation and their response and collaboration to address the needs of children affected by addiction. With such a critical health issue facing our families and neighbors, the work of a dedicated organization like the AmerisourceBergen Foundation is not only appreciated, but necessary as nonprofits continue to care for those in need,” said Mary K. Fitzgerald, CEO of Eluna.
For more information about the AmerisourceBergen Foundation and its approach to end controlled substance misuse and abuse, please visit www.amerisourcebergenfoundation.org.
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About the AmerisourceBergen Foundation
The AmerisourceBergen Foundation is an independent not-for-profit charitable giving organization established by AmerisourceBergen Corporation to support health-related causes that enrich that global community. The Foundation aims to improve the health and well-being of its patient populations – both human and animal – by investing in its communities. Through strategic partnerships and community collaboration, the Foundation works to expand access to quality healthcare and provide resources to ensure prescription drug safety. For more information, visit www.amerisourcebergenfoundation.org.