Georgia Council on Substance Abuse Calls on Georgia Congressional Delegation
Work in Bi-Partisan Effort: Support Emergency Funding for Addiction Recovery and Mental Health in Next COVID-19 Relief Package
Tucker, GA – At the onset of 2021, coupled with a new presidential administration, America is battling dual pandemics – COVID-19 and untreated mental and behavioral health disorders.
The Georgia Council on Substance Abuse (GCSA) calls on the Georgia Congressional Delegation to join the Congressional Bipartisan Opioid Task Force in urging Congressional leadership to provide $10 billion in funding for mental health disorder and substance use disorder prevention, treatment and recovery supports in the next COVID-19 Relief Package.
The funding would include $5 billion for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SAPTBG) and $5 billion for the Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) Block Grant programs.
GCSA is grateful for the funding that has already been provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in previous COVID-response packages but more assistance is needed.
On behalf of the over 800,000 people in recovery across Georgia, GCSA respectfully request that the next COVID response bill include $10 billion in funding for SAMHSA, dedicated to the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and Community Mental Health Services Block Grant programs.
“The people of Georgia deserve consistent, long-term funding. COVID-19 has created new challenges and barriers for people with pre-existing mental illness and substance use disorders and generated new issues for citizens previously not affected,” said Neil Campbell, Executive Director of GCSA. We need a comprehensive, well-planned strategy that addresses access to care for vulnerable populations, public education and awareness as well as addiction treatment services and supports which will help people stay well.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the growing number of Americans dealing with mental health conditions and substance use disorders, SUD and MH issues are the epidemic within the COVID-19 pandemic. It is time for Congress to address this reality in a serious manner.” said Jeff Breedlove, Chief of Policy for GCSA.
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program
We request that $5 billion be designated for the SAPTBG program. This funding is necessary to increase prevention efforts and ensure that individuals with substance use
disorders can receive access to care, life-saving treatment, and ongoing recovery support services, despite the additional barriers posed by COVID-19.
Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Program
We request that $5 billion be designated for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program. Given the surge of new mental health needs due to COVID-19, it is imperative that we provide robust funding to expand access to effective mental health treatments.
As COVID-19 continues, Congress must not lose sight of the addiction and mental health crisis America faced before the onset of the pandemic, and which has only been exacerbated by it. These behavioral and mental health services are crucial to save lives and improve Americans’ well-being.
