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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.

US overdose deaths continue decline in 2025

Provisional CDC data shows that overdose deaths have continued to decline, with deaths down 21% in the 12-month period ending August 2025 compared to the year before.

OPM: HHS workforce shrunk by 18 percent in 2025

Data from the federal Office of Personnel Management shows that HHS started the year with 18% fewer employees than in 2024, with SAMHSA losing nearly half of its employees.

CBO report on opioid crisis solutions and budget impacts

The Congressional Budget Office released a report on the effectiveness and likely budgetary impacts of various policy approaches to address the opioid crisis.

AMA 2025 report on overdose crisis

The American Medical Association released its 2025 report on substance use, describing the complex nature of the ongoing overdose crisis and providing recommendations to remove barriers to treatment and strengthen prevention and harm reduction efforts.

Research News Roundup: January 22, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how increased alcohol consumption on cannabis co-use days drives higher rates of negative outcomes for young adults. These findings suggest that the total number of drinks is the primary driver of consequences, reinforcing that reducing alcohol intake remains the most effective harm-reduction strategy during combined use.

Trump administration rescinds and restores $2 billion in SAMHSA grants

On Tuesday night, SAMHSA sent letters to thousands of organizations cancelling grants for mental health and addiction services. On Wednesday night, the grants were restored.

Study: Fentanyl supply shock reduces overdose deaths

A new study suggests that the recent decline in U.S. overdose deaths was driven in large part by a drop in fentanyl potency resulting from Chinese government crackdowns on the trafficking of precursor chemicals.

Research News Roundup: January 15, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including a study that found the proportion of US substance use disorder treatment facilities offering medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD) increased from 2017 to 2021, but growth then plateaued. Policies supporting the expansion of MAUD-providing facilities, particularly in underserved counties, may be needed to address persistent gaps in access.

New dietary guidelines omit alcohol limits

An updated version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests limiting alcohol consumption but removes the specific recommendation of no more than 1-2 drinks per day.

Sara Carter confirmed as drug czar

The Senate voted to confirm journalist Sara Carter to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Drug policy in 2026: marijuana, psychedelics, opioids

A recent article from STAT highlights areas in drug policy to keep an eye on in 2026, including marijuana, psychedelics, and opioid overdose deaths.

U.S. indicts Maduro on drug charges

The U.S. seized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and charged him and others with narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.

Executive order pushes for marijuana rescheduling

President Trump signed an executive order to try to expedite marijuana's rescheduling from Schedule I to III.

Research News Roundup: January 8, 2026

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including a study of methadone patients with mental health disorders (MHD) and using methamphetamine that identified key barriers to mental health care: low awareness, stigma, family burden, polysubstance use, and a shortage of specialists. When MHD services were included in methadone clinics, there were improved diagnoses, streamlined referrals, and reduced logistical challenges.

Monitoring the Future survey: Teen substance use remains low in 2025

The 2025 Monitoring the Future survey found that teens' use of most substances remains low and has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

Trump classifies fentanyl as WMD

President Trump signed an executive order to classify fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, a move likely aimed at justifying military action against drug trafficking, though experts doubt it will help address the addiction crisis.

Congress votes against ACA subsidy extension

The Senate rejected legislation to extend the enhanced ACA subsidies, while the House passed a health care bill that does not address the subsidies, leaving them to expire at the end of the year.

SAMHSA head departs for DHS

Art Kleinschmidt, who was serving as the de facto head of SAMHSA, has left the role, highlighting the lack of administration officials serving in key addiction and drug policy roles.

Medetomidine causing new withdrawal crisis

Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative up to 200 times as potent as xylazine, has started to saturate the fentanyl supply in Philadelphia and is moving throughout the East and Midwestern U.S.

Research News Roundup: December 18, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how two different doses of extended-release buprenorphine (100-mg or 300-mg) were found to be safe and effective for treating high-risk opioid use. However, the higher 300-mg maintenance dose may be more effective for individuals using fentanyl.

CDC cuts disrupt state tobacco programs

The CDC cuts last spring effectively closed the Office on Smoking and Health, leading states to curtail their tobacco prevention and cessation programs that relied on the agency.

Poll: Public supports action on mental health crisis

A NAMI/Ipsos poll found broad public support for increased funding and policy action to address the mental health crisis.

Court denies administration’s bid to halt school mental health grants

A federal appeals court ruling requires the release millions of dollars in grants for mental health workers in schools.

Op-ed: Economic roots of substance use crisis

Two Brown University researchers/professors explain that the economic roots of substance use are often ignored, but the crisis will be hard to solve without available housing, treatment, and jobs.

Inadequate cannabis warning labels across states

A study found that states that have legalized marijuana often do not require a comprehensive set of warning statements to appear on the packaging/labeling.
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