End Substance Use Disorder Statement on President Biden’s Signing of Government Funding Bill

Today, President Biden signed legislation to fund the federal government through September 30, 2022. The legislation includes more than $4 billion for substance use treatment and prevention initiatives. End Substance Use Disorder released the following statement:

“As overdose deaths claim more than 285 Americans every day, it’s critical that states and local governments have the resources needed to open the doors of treatment and recovery to every person in need,” said Erin Schanning, president of End Substance Use Disorder. “While this $4 billion in funding is essential to providing life-saving care to millions who are currently in crisis, we urge Congress to adopt a more permanent funding source that states and local governments can rely on to provide comprehensive substance use disorder services. We further urge Congress to save taxpayer dollars by removing federal red tape that prevents health care providers from prescribing treatment.”

The government funding bill will support services to prevent and treat substance use disorder and support recovery. The bill includes investments to expand the number of health care providers who treat substance use disorder and funding to provide medication-based treatment and behavioral health care. The legislation also provides resources for syringe service programs to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and keep people safe from overdoses.

End Substance Use Disorder supports comprehensive funding for substance use disorder services, but also notes that funding alone will not ensure that every person in need can access care. Numerous federal laws impose barriers to treatment that no amount of money can overcome. That’s why End Substance Use Disorder has also called for Congress to remove outdated barriers that stand in the way of treatment, including through the broadly supported Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act.