Springfield (AP) – The state of Illinois is being awarded a 43.5 million dollar federal grant to help in the fight against the opioid epidemic. According to a story from the Associated Press, the announcement was made by the US Department of Health and Human Services yesterday, and is part of a more than 1 billion dollar grant distributed to all states as part of their new “Five-Point Opioid Strategy.” The funds will be used to increase the availability of addiction treatment through FDA approved medication, as well as help federally funded community health centers, academic institutions and rural organizations expand on substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities.