Three members of Maine’s congressional delegation have announced a $2.5 million grant to help fight the opioid epidemic in Aroostook County.

Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, along with Congressman Jared Golden, announced Monday that Aroostook Mental Health Center had been awarded the money to support and expand their Medication Assisted Treatment services.

“For nearly six decades, Aroostook Mental Health Center has been committed to improving the health of rural and underserved communities,” said Senators Collins and King and Congressman Golden in a joint statement.

“This funding will allow the dedicated staff at AMHC to continue to provide high-quality treatment and other support resources to individuals struggling with opioid addiction in Northern Maine. Last year Maine lost 504 people to drug overdoses, and we’re on track to exceed that number this year — which is why these services are needed more than ever.”

Aroostook Mental Health Center CEO Ellen Bemis says the purpose is to expand the treatment in Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock counties over the next five years.

The funding was awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.