August 2, Wisconsin Health News

The University of Wisconsin and UW Health are offering a new hotline allowing primary care doctors and other providers in the state to consult with addiction experts to treat patients.

The Department of Health Services awarded a $500,000 grant for the hotline, which can be renewed for an additional year. The service, which UW believes is the first of its kind in the nation, will provide counsel about a range of addictions during weekdays.

Seventy percent of Wisconsin’s rural counties lack a provider who is certified to provide medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders, according to Dr. Randall Brown, who oversees the program team for the services.

“The goal of this project is to offer real-time support and expertise from specialists in addiction medicine, addiction psychiatry, psychology and AODA counseling,” he said in a statement last week. “I am confident that we can reduce the enormous suffering substance abuse produces in this state.”