A $115,000 state grant the Cambria County Drug Coalition received will provide transportation assistance for Cambria County residents seeking treatment for substance use disorder, said Nichole Rousell, the coalition’s project coordinator.

The funding was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Human Services to support the coalition’s efforts with the Compassionate Outreach for Recovery project, Rousell said.

Through the project, the coalition is able to provide bags containing nasal Narcan, drug testing strips, basic first aid and education on the dangers of drug use for free to people actively struggling with addiction, she said. The bags are available at the coalition’s office along Main Street in Johnstown.

The R4H Medical Transportation service will provide assistance for emergency cases only and is limited to three rides per person per year to reduce overuse of the option, which is only funded for a year, Rousell said.

Although the number of overdose deaths in the county have decreased every year, the need for the Compassionate Outreach for Recovery program is “definitely needed” because the landscape of drugs in Cambria County has “changed drastically over the years,” Rousell said.

Rousell said more people are becoming addicted to drugs without realizing they’re using a substance that they can get addicted to, like fentanyl and tranquilizer drugs.

“People still aren’t aware that fentanyl is in everything,” she said, adding it’s important for people to test their drugs using the strips provided in the Compassionate Outreach for Recovery bags.

According to Rousell, there is a lack of transportation in Cambria County for emergency situations.

“Most of the medical transportation here, you have to wait three days before you get on a list to be able to use Health Ride Plus or whatever transportation company you’re using,” she said, adding the funding will allow people seeking rehabilitation services to get the help they need immediately.

Rousell, who grew up in Hastings Borough, said she’s passionate about providing the service to the northern part of the county.

“I know all about the transportation problems up there,” she said. “I wanted it to be accessible to any Cambria County resident, regardless of where they lived.”

For more information or to be approved for a free ride to treatment, contact the Cambria County Drug Coalition, 814-619-4504 ext. 2, or email nichole.rousell@drugcoalition.org.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.