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The Latest News from Our Field

We curate a digest of the latest news in our field for advocates, policymakers, community coalitions and all who work toward shaping policies and practices to effectively prevent substance use and treat addiction. Sign up here to receive weekly updates straight to your inbox.

2024 national drug use survey insights

SAMHSA released the findings of the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a key national survey that measures the prevalence of substance use, substance use disorder, treatment, recovery, etc.

Trump homelessness executive order targets harm reduction

A new executive order targeting "crime and disorder on America's streets" promotes a punitive response to homelessness, mental health, and addiction focused on involuntary commitment and ending harm reduction programs.

CBO report: 10 million uninsured due to reconciliation legislation

CBO estimates that the reconciliation legislation signed into law will cause 10 million people to lose insurance coverage.

Terry Cole takes helm at DEA

Terry Cole, a DEA veteran, was confirmed and sworn in as administrator of the agency.

Research News Roundup: July 31, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including the fact that in 2022, over 70,000 people lost their lives to unintentional fentanyl overdoses - a 31-fold increase since 2012, when, 2139 deaths occurred. This tragic cost of human lives also represents a massive $57-$67 billion hit to our nation from premature deaths.

Trump administration delays crucial overdose funding

The White House has delayed $140 million in CDC Overdose Data to Action grant funding, creating uncertainty for local efforts to address the overdose crisis.

FDA authorizes Juul e-cigarettes

After a yearslong standoff, FDA authorized Juul menthol- and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes to be marketed.

988 crisis line marks third anniversary

Awareness and use of 988 has increased since its launch three years ago, but crisis response services are facing new risks.

Medicaid cuts may double overdoses among those losing MOUD access

Researchers estimated that the loss of MOUD access resulting from the reconciliation law's Medicaid cuts would lead to approximately 1,000 additional overdose deaths each year.

Research News Roundup: July 24, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how sexual dating violence is linked to suicide attempts among high schoolers, and the major role that alcohol plays in this. To enhance prevention efforts, it is recommended to prioritize alcohol-specific interventions, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as young men and minorities.

Opioid settlement funds misused nationwide

Amid ongoing concerns about the misuse of opioid settlement funds, two research and advocacy organizations launched a database to identify examples of misuse and prompt investigation.

Congress targets intoxicating hemp product loophole

Bills being considered by Congress include provisions to close the loophole that has allowed psychoactive hemp-derived substances to spread unregulated.

Research News Roundup: July 17, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how a study of 13,677 high school students found a link between sexual identity and tobacco use which varies by race/ethnicity. For example, LGBQ Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino youth had the strongest association with electronic vapor use compared to other groups.

Reconciliation bill with Medicaid and ACA changes signed into law

On July 4, President Trump signed into law the reconciliation bill, which includes changes to health care that are estimated to cause around 12 million people to lose insurance coverage.

Cities and states challenge cuts to mental health and ACA

State attorneys general sued over the cancellation of $1 billion in mental health grants, while three mayors sued over new rules that make changes to ACA enrollment and eligibility.

Judge blocks HHS reorganization plan

A federal judge temporarily blocked several parts of HHS's planned reorganization, including layoffs and consolidating agencies.

Senate passes reconciliation bill

The Senate passed its reconciliation bill, which includes changes to Medicaid that would lead millions to lose coverage. The bill now heads back to the House, which needs to vote for final passage.

Medicaid changes threaten coverage for people with addiction

New analyses show that Congress's reconciliation bill, particularly its work requirements, could lead more than 1.6 million people with Medicaid receiving SUD treatment to become uninsured.

Supreme Court upholds ACA preventive care

The Supreme Court upheld a requirement for insurance to cover certain preventive services at no cost, but the decision could pave the way for changes in what is covered.

Research News Roundup: July 3, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how even with efforts to expand treatment, major gaps remain in access to medications for opioid use disorder — especially for groups including those without private insurance. Researchers have looked at over 17,600 opioid-related healthcare events and found that racial, ethnic, and insurance-based disparities are still prevalent. The takeaway? We need targeted solutions— like culturally responsive care, more access points, and serious policy changes — to break down these barriers and save lives.

Senate moves on its reconciliation bill

The Senate version includes some changes to the House version that would amount to deeper Medicaid cuts, but both versions ultimately would cause millions to lose access to coverage and care.

LGBTQ+ crisis hotline faces cuts

SAMHSA announced it will end the specialized crisis response services for LGBTQ+ youth that were offered through the 988 crisis hotline.

States approve $7.4 billion Purdue settlement

All 50 states, D.C., and U.S. territories have signed on to a new settlement agreement with Purdue and the Sacklers for their role in the opioid crisis.

Overdose deaths rise slightly again

Overdose deaths increased slightly for the first time in over a year, which could be just a blip or a sign that the rapid declines could be fading.

Research News Roundup: June 26, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how targeting adolescents who are central in their social networks for anti-smoking interventions is the most effective strategy for significantly reducing smoking in schools, especially in schools with higher initial smoking rates where the positive peer influence of non-smokers spreads more widely.
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