PATERSON, USA WINS BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES GLOBAL MAYORS CHALLENGE
Yearlong Competition Launched in 2021 Elevates the Most Promising Urban Innovations to Emerge from the Pandemic. Paterson is 1 of only 15 cities globally to be awarded $1 million dollars to implement their idea. Paterson’s innovation will make Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid addiction available anytime, anywhere in 90 minutes.
PATERSON, NJ – Bloomberg Philanthropies announced on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 the 15 winning cities of the 2021-2022 Global Mayors Challenge, a worldwide innovation competition that supports and spreads cities’ most promising ideas. These 15 winners are being recognized for designing the boldest and most ambitious urban innovations to emerge from the global COVID-19 pandemic. The winning ideas address one or more of four current issue areas in cities including economic recovery and inclusive growth; health and wellbeing; climate and environment; and gender and equality.
Paterson, USA’s Appropriate Medication-Assisted-Treatment Anytime, Anywhere, also known as RealFix was awarded one million dollars in addition to technical support and coaching over three years. The goal of RealFix is to make Suboxone, a medication which can alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings and protect against overdose, more easily available than illicit opioids. RealFix will also provide data driven referrals to vetted Medication Assisted Treatment providers thereby providing transparency.
“Paterson is committed to becoming a city of solutions and this award not only proves it but it will also help us save lives”, says Mayor Sayegh. “We are hopeful that our innovative idea will serve as a global model for other cities who are also addressing the Opioid epidemic.”
RealFix will have long-lasting impact on the well-being of the city residents because opioid addiction doesn’t just impact the sufferer. Without an immediate alternative to…