SAMHSA awards $123 million to combat overdose epidemic

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is awarding more than $123 million in funding through six grant programs to provide multifaceted support to communities and health care providers combatting the overdose epidemic. The grant programs promote medication-assisted treatment (MAT), SBIRT (screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment) initiatives, and the training of health professionals, among other efforts. In related federal news, the National Institutes of Health released research last week showing opioid overdose deaths continue to rise in Black communities. The Food and Drug Administration will hold a public workshop in October to reconsider mandatory opioid education for prescribers. (HHS news release, 9/13/21)