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The Latest News from Our Field

We curate a digest of the latest news in our field for advocates, policymakers, community coalitions and all who work toward shaping policies and practices to effectively prevent substance use and treat addiction. Sign up here to receive weekly updates straight to your inbox.

HHS announces major job cuts and restructuring

HHS Secretary Kennedy announced a restructuring of the department that would eliminate several agencies and cut 10,000 staff.

HHS cancels $12B in health grants

HHS is clawing back supplemental COVID relief funding, including $1 billion in block grant funding from SAMHSA.

HHS cuts HIV and diversity grants

HHS has cut hundreds of grants, with many related to substance use and mental health, either among gender/sexual minorities or in connection with HIV.

Trump shifts homelessness policy to forced treatment

The Trump administration is shifting federal homelessness policy away from Housing First and toward a more punitive response.

Trump’s new ONDCP, SAMHSA, and CDC nominees

Trump announced new nominees for ONDCP director, deputy assistant secretary of SAMHSA, and CDC director, and the NIH, FDA, and CMS nominees advanced.

Research News Roundup: April 3, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how community-based naloxone distribution programs can be effective in preventing opioid overdose deaths and how positive subjective responses to prescription opioids are predictive of future opioid misuse.

Opioid crisis emergency renewed by HHS

HHS renewed the public health emergency declaration that has been in place for the opioid crisis since 2017.

NIDA director: Rethinking SUD treatment goals

In a blog, Dr. Volkow outlines why treatments for addiction should be evaluated based on their potential to reduce use, not just abstinence.

Medicaid cuts threaten opioid treatment access

Medicaid has been instrumental in paying for opioid overdose response and treatment, so cuts to Medicaid could increase overdoses and deaths.

Drug seizures linked to overdose spike

A new study found that law enforcement drug seizures were associated with increased risk of fatal opioid overdose in the surrounding area in the following days.

Research News Roundup: March 27, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including the high prevalence of mental health issues and interpersonal violence among adolescents with substance use disorders, as well as the increasing presence of xylazine and levamisole as adulterants in illicit drugs.​

SAMHSA faces major staffing cuts

The federal agency that leads efforts on mental health and substance use is facing a potential 50-70% workforce reduction.

Trump’s health agency nominees update

The nominee for CMS director had a confirmation hearing, the CDC director nominee was withdrawn, and the NIH and FDA nominees progressed.

NIDA director on NIH changes

In an interview with STAT, NIDA Director Volkow discussed the changes at NIH, effective addiction treatment, the recent decline in overdose deaths, and needed research.

Congress passes spending bill

Congress passed a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown and fund the government through September.

Research News Roundup: March 20, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how Operant Conditioning appears to be the only treatment component that positively impacts maternal substance use outcomes.

Trump’s Congress address focuses on border issues

In his address to a joint session of Congress, Trump made little mention of health care or addiction.

Trump’s shifting tariffs on fentanyl crisis

Trump implemented, then scaled back, tariffs on Mexico and Canada in response to the ongoing fentanyl crisis.

NIH and FDA confirmation hearings

Trump's nominees to lead NIH and FDA faced questions from senators in their confirmation hearings last week.

CBO: Republicans face Medicaid budget challenge

A new report provides additional evidence that the levels of cuts outlined in the House budget blueprint cannot be achieved without cutting Medicaid.

Research News Roundup: March 13, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including a study on policies governing flavored tobacco products in the U.S.

KFF Health News/CBS: States eye opioid money amid federal funding cuts

As federal funding dries up, states are increasingly looking to opioid settlement funds to fill the gaps, KFF Health News/CBS report.

House Republicans pass budget plan requiring Medicaid cuts

The House passed a budget blueprint requiring $880 billion in cuts from the Energy and Commerce Committee, which would necessitate cuts to Medicaid.

DOL struggles to enforce parity laws

A report found that DOL lacked critical tools to enforce parity compliance, furthering barriers to care.

Overdose deaths down nearly 24%

Provisional CDC data shows about 87,000 overdose deaths Oct. 2023-Sept. 2024, down significantly from the previous year.
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