Reed Rips Trump for Eliminating Nearly $2B in Grants to Treat and Prevent Addiction, Provide Mental Health Services

WASHINGTON, DC - In a shocking blow to public health and a major setback for families struggling with a loved one's addiction recovery or mental health treatment, the Trump Administration unilaterally terminated nearly $2 billion in federal health services grants administered by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The shocking move will disrupt treatment for people and prevent nonprofits from delivering much needed aid to people experiencing addiction, homelessness, and mental illness.

Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement:

"This is a cruel, careless, and counter-productive move that threatens critical services for vulnerable people experiencing mental illness, substance use, and homelessness as well as overdose prevention. Instead of helping people recover and get back on their feet, the Trump Administration is pushing thousands of people into the streets and denying them the care they need.

"This short-sighted decision won't make America healthier or safer, it will instead put more stress on local law enforcement and add a heavier financial burden to local communities. It also underscores how unserious the Trump Administration is about drugs. They blow up a few drug boats in Venezuela while allowing fentanyl to pour into communities and then President Trump pardons prominent drug traffickers. Donald Trump talks about the number of drug overdose deaths, but then he turns around and cuts off funding for people in treatment.

"This will have a major impact on all fifty states and I will work on a bipartisan basis to fix it. My office is actively gathering information from impacted local non-profits, schools, and health providers to better understand the scope of the Trump Administration's cancellations. Defunded programs should contact my office and I will continue doing everything I can to support them and hold the Trump Administration accountable."

Since returning to office last year, the Trump administration has fired hundreds of staffers at SAMHSA and removed entire teams that oversee disability rights programs, school-based mental health intervention, and more. Last year, the administration terminated an additional nearly $2 billion in federal grants for overdose prevention and state-level mental health services.

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