(NewsNation) — The progress the United States has made in reducing overdose deaths could be at risk after the Trump administration’s deep cuts to the main federal agency focused on fighting opioid addiction.
A report from Stateline.com says the administration has cut the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) staff by more than half since Trump took office. SAMHSA distributes billions of dollars in grants for mental health and addiction services, and is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Along with the cuts, $1.7 billion in block grants for state health departments and roughly $350 million in addiction and overdose prevention funding were eliminated.
“I’m not sure that a very reduced SAMHSA is going to really be able to continue that focus,” said Dr. Yngvild Olsen, former director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at SAMHSA.
Trump administration officials have rebuked Olsen’s comments, saying they are “committed to tackling addiction with compassion and accountability, ensuring taxpayer dollars fund programs that lead to real recovery.”
“SAMHSA is prioritizing treatment, prevention and long-term recovery while ensuring all federally funded programs comply with the law,” HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon said.
In March, the administration announced plans to fold SAMHSA and four other agencies into a new Administration for a Healthy America. The decision was part of a major restructuring of the HHS.
Since 2023, overdose deaths have dramatically fallen. Only 76,500 deaths were reported over 12 months back in April, marking the lowest year-over-year tally since March 2020.