White House announces new actions and funding to address the overdose epidemic and support recovery

Key Takeaways

On September 23, the White House announced new and recent actions to address the overdose epidemic and support Americans in recovery. It is estimated that more than 105,000 people died from an overdose in the 12 months ending in October 2021, the highest number ever recorded in a 12-month period. As key administrators of behavioral health services, counties play an integral role in addressing the nation’s overdose crisis. We work in partnership with states to invest federal funding sources to develop evidence-based programs that reduce overdose deaths, close the gap in treatment needs and increase access to services in the communities where they are needed most.   

The White House announcement highlights several key steps to address the epidemic, including:

• Providing $1.5 billion for all states and territories to address addiction and the opioid crisis: These funds will be available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response and Tribal Opioid Response grant programs. The grant programs provide funding to states and territories to increase access to treatment for substance use disorders, remove barriers to public-health interventions like naloxone and expand access to recovery support services such as 24/7 Opioid Treatment Programs. The funding will also allow states to increase investments in overdose education and peer support specialists in emergency departments among other strategies.
• Investing over $104 million to expand substance use treatment and prevention in rural communities: HHS’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced investments of over $104 million to public, private and non-profit entities working to expand access to treatment and prevention services for substance use disorder in rural communities. This effort is part of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), a multi-year initiative aimed at reducing the prevalence of substance use disorders and preventing overdose deaths in rural America. This funding will help create new sites that provide medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in rural communities, support workforce mentorship and training and allow communities to invest in education and outreach to prevent and treat substance use disorder.
• $20.5 million to increase access to recovery supports: SAMHSA is awarding $20.5 million in grant funding to organizations that help connect individuals who have substance use disorders with community resources. This funding will help individuals with substance use disorders who are moving through the drug court system by expanding prevention and treatment programs and increasing access to community behavioral health promotion services.
• New guidance to support and facilitate greater access to FDA-approved naloxone products: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidance intended to facilitate the distribution of FDA-approved naloxone products, by supporting the drug’s increased availability to underserved communities.
• Additional funding for law enforcement officials: The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced an additional $12 million for new High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), public health and public safety partnerships working to prevent overdoses and efforts to prevent gun crimes associated with drug trafficking.

To read the full list of administrative actions, read the announcement here.

NACo supports federal policy that works to advance the U.S. behavioral health system and closely monitors HHS and Congressional action that impacts the mental health and well-being of our communities. County leaders applaud the federal government for taking steps to address the overdose epidemic and look forward to working with Congress to advance county behavioral health priorities in pending legislation to come in the 117th Congress and beyond.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• NACo Policy Brief: Enhance Counties' Ability to Prevent and Treat Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Disorders
• NACo Report: Behavioral Health Matters to Counties
• NACo Blog: SAMHSA now accepting applications for next round of State Opioid Response funding
• NACo Blog: HHS announces first-ever behavioral health recovery innovation challenge