The Trump administration has initiated a sudden and sweeping budget cut for substance abuse and mental health programs nationwide. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced Tuesday that it was eliminating approximately 2,000 grant programs worth nearly $2 billion.
Elchi.az reports that this move represents approximately one-quarter of SAMHSA’s total budget and jeopardizes programs that directly serve communities affected by addiction, mental illness, and homelessness.
“Inconsistent with agency priorities” justified
In letters sent to grant recipients signed by SAMHSA’s acting secretary, Christopher Carroll, the cancellations were justified as the programs were no longer “aligned with the agency’s goals or priorities.”
However, affected agencies expressed surprise, stating that their work was fully aligned with SAMHSA’s stated priorities. Jamie Ross, CEO of the Las Vegas-based PACT Coalition, said three grants totaling $560,000 had been canceled, adding, “The purpose of our grants is fully aligned with the priorities listed in the letter.”
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