Rep. Panetta Secures Over $500,000 for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Services in Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) secured a $520,911 grant from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services for Janus of Santa Cruz, a substance use disorder and behavioral health treatment center that has served the Santa Cruz community for over 45 years.

Janus of Santa Cruz offers programs and services for over 2,500 clients in withdrawal management, residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment, perinatal treatment, medication-assisted treatment, DUI correction, and intensive outpatient services.

“Rehabilitation services for our neighbors living with substance use disorders, has the potential to both save and change lives,” said Rep. Panetta.  “That’s why I continue to fight for this type of federal funding that is critical for our local programs which improve the health of patients and safety of our community.  Tackling addiction and other behavioral health issues is a community-wide endeavor that entails this type of significant federal investment.”

The California Health Care Foundation estimates that more than 2.9 million Californians struggle with a substance abuse disorder.  In 2022, there were 65 reported fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Santa Cruz County.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that fentanyl is responsible for the deaths of more Americans under 50 than any other cause.

In Congress, Rep. Panetta is leading the bipartisan, bicameral Combating Illicit Xylazine Act to give law enforcement the necessary tools to counter the growing public health threat of xylazine-adulterated fentanyl, also known as tranq.  The first recorded death from tranq in Santa Cruz County was announced earlier this past month.

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