Emory University and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation have signed a letter of intent to create the Addiction Alliance of Georgia, an effort aimed at preventing and treating addiction, improving recovery rates and saving lives across the state.

Announcing their new partnerships in a joint statement, they said efforts are already underway to secure philanthropic support for the alliance.

The alliance, they added, will focus on fighting addiction to alcohol, opioids and other substances and form partnerships with other groups to provide “comprehensive treatment and recovery support to both insured and underserved people in Atlanta and across Georgia. Emory and Hazelden Betty Ford will also work together to advance addiction-related education and research.”

Hazelden bills itself as the nation’s largest nonprofit addiction treatment provider.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported in April that Emory and Hazelden were quietly taking steps toward teaming up. Their partnership grew out of months of meetings involving dozens of community leaders concerned about the opioid crisis.

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