The Challenge
Americans, aged 12 or older, were classified with substance abuse or dependence; nearly 20 million adults, aged 18 or older, were living with a serious mental illness, according to SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Millions of individuals who could benefit from mental health services and substance abuse treatment do not get the care that could help them. The economic costs of undiagnosed and untreated mental and substance use disorders are staggering. The human costs— measured in lost jobs, lost families and lost lives—are incalculable. Yet, mental and substance use disorders are treatable, chronic illnesses from which people can and do recover. The toll of substance abuse and mental illnesses can be dramatically reduced by prevention and early intervention with state-of-the-art, research-based services and supports. SAMHSA is bringing this new knowledge to communities across the Nation to ensure that people with or at risk for mental or substance use disorders have the opportunity for recovery and a fulfilling life in the community.
MEETING THE CHALLENGE THROUGH NATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Through its three Centers and supporting Offices, SAMHSA engages in program activities to carry out its mission. With a fiscal year 2005 budget of nearly $3.3 billion, SAMHSA funds and administers a rich portfolio of grant programs and contracts that support States’ efforts to expand and enhance prevention programs and to improve the quality, availability and range of substance abuse treatment and mental health services—in local communities—where people can be served most effectively. At the heart of SAMHSA’s funding programs is accountability. Today, SAMHSA’s formula and discretionary grant programs are changing to focus on performance measurement and management— holding grantees accountable for performance-based outcomes. Driven by a strategy to improve accountability, capacity and effectiveness, SAMHSA ensures that its resources are being used effectively and efficiently and also that these resources are being invested in the best interest of the people SAMHSA serves.
The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) leads Federal efforts in expanding the availability and accessibility of high-quality, community-based services for adults with serious mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbances. CMHS administers the Mental Health Services Block Grant Program, as well as a portfolio of discretionary grant programs that include efforts to help prevent mental health problems. The Center collects, analyzes and disseminates national data on mental health services and supports SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center, a one-stop source for free information, resources and referrals on an array of mental health topics.
SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) works to improve the quality of substance abuse prevention practices nationwide. Through its discretionary grant programs, the Center provides States, communities, organizations and families with tools to promote protective factors and to reduce risk factors for substance abuse. CSAP also supports the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI), the largest Federal source of information about substance abuse research, treatment and prevention available to the public.
SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) promotes the quality and availability of community-based substance abuse treatment services for individuals and families who need them. CSAT works with States and community-based groups to improve and expand existing substance abuse treatment services under the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program. CSAT also supports SAMHSA’s free treatment referral service to link people with the community-based substance abuse services they need.
Office of Applied Studies
The Office of Applied Studies (OAS) collects, analyzes and disseminates national data on behavioral health practices and issues. OAS is responsible for the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the Drug Abuse Warning Network and the Drug and Alcohol Services Information System, among other studies.
Web Site: http://www.samhsa.gov
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