LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) will be the new home of a national center focused on opioid research and how it affects kids.
"A giant step forward for the children suffering from our nation's opioid crisis," ACH President and Chief Executive Officer Marcy Doderer said. "This center will change that. We believe every child deserves to reach their fullest potential."
Officially dubbed the National Center for Opioid Research, the building will cost around $70 million.
"We have had a big impact on the tiniest Arkansans and our nurseries, and today's announcement is another step toward improving Central Arkansas," ACH Executive Vice President Dr. Rick Barr said.
Officials estimate the facility to be around 45,000 square feet and said they hope it is a magnet for researchers nationwide.
Much of this funding came from Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin's office.
"I said I can commit to $50 million," Griffin said. "This will be a national magnet for research."
And that money comes from opioid settlements his office has won.
"I was looking for a partner who would be able to deliver excellence, and 100 years from now, I will still be doing work related to this after we're all gone," Griffin said. "Arkansas Children's is that partner."
However, the money spent isn't the focus of this project. If you ask those involved, they're ready for the research and change this will bring.
"There's not a lot of research right now in this space, particularly around how it impacts an infant or a small child," Doderer said. "This center will allow us to make that discovery."
With a vision as big as this, those involved aren't just focusing on Arkansas – they know this is an opportunity to be at the forefront of this research.
"Why not be the number one leader in the world on this issue?" Griffin said.
Doderer said they hope to break ground by the end of next year, with the entire building finished up a few years later.