PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) — A pair of Maine organizations is getting federal help to try to fight back against the state's opioid abuse crisis with the use of expanded telehealth.

The money is coming from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The larger of the two grants is an award of nearly $480,000 to Maine Rural Health Collaborative to help pay for telehealth network and video-conferencing gear.

The gear will connect nine health care facilities in Aroostook, Hancock, Penobscot and Washington counties.

Maine Quality Counts will also receive a grant of about $87,000 to pay for video-conferencing equipment to connect groups such as law enforcement agencies, child welfare organizations and social service agencies. That effort will take place in Kennebec, Washington, Waldo, Hancock and Piscataquis counties.

More From