Shaheen proposes $600 million to fight heroin abuse

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is proposing $600 million in emergency funding to address the nation's opioid and heroin abuse crisis.

The bulk of the money would go to the Department of Health and Human Services, including $250 million that would be distributed to states as block grants for prevention, treatment and recovery programs. Another $200 million would go to the Department of Justice for grants that fund programs focused on law enforcement, courts and education.

Shaheen is announcing the bill Monday and will formally introduce it when the Senate is in session next week. She says the crisis is spiraling out of control and requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, not just for New Hampshire but for the entire country. She cited statistics showing 120 Americans die of drug overdoses each day.