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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.

Overdose deaths decline among youth

Overdose deaths among people under 35 fell from more than 31,000 in 2021 to 16,690 in 2024.

Scientists challenge NIH policies in declaration

More than 300 NIH staffers signed the Bethesda Declaration raising concerns about grant terminations, layoffs, funding cuts, and other policies.

Kennedy silent on smoking dangers

Despite his focus on chronic disease, HHS Secretary Kennedy has not focused on smoking, one of its leading causes.

Senate Democrats propose Medicaid reform package

As Congress considers cuts to Medicaid in the reconciliation bill, Senate Finance Democrats introduced bills to strengthen Medicaid coverage and access.

Congress passes HALT Fentanyl Act

The bill, which would permanently classify fentanyl analogues as Schedule I substances, now goes to Trump's desk.

Research News Roundup: June 19, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how Recovery Community Centers within the broader Recovery Support Services system are growing rapidly and how a review of the evidence shows that these centers are beneficial, particularly for individuals who have significant mental health challenges and limited personal resources or support systems for recovery.

House votes to reauthorize the SUPPORT Act

The House voted to reauthorize the law to address the opioid crisis, but some opposed the previously popular bill due to the administration's cuts to addiction services.

CBO: 16 million risk losing insurance from proposed federal changes

The House-passed reconciliation bill, in combination with expiring ACA subsidies and a rule proposed by the Trump administration, could lead 16 million people to lose insurance coverage.

Research News Roundup: June 12, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how Xylazine, or "Tranq," a veterinary tranquilizer, is increasingly contaminating the recreational opioid supply, particularly fentanyl and how this adulteration complicates overdose responses.

Trump administration’s budget proposal seeks deep cuts

HHS released a more detailed budget proposal, outlining over $30 billion in requested cuts.

Pain in the Nation report: drug and alcohol deaths decline

The report found that while overdose and alcohol deaths are down, over 200,000 Americans still died due to alcohol, drug overdose, and suicide in 2023.

Medicaid cuts threaten young adults’ coverage

The Medicaid cuts in the reconciliation bill would endanger health care access for many young adults, a population at risk for mental health and substance use disorders.

Research News Roundup: June 5, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news including, how young adults from underrepresented groups (Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black) have some of the highest rates of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) as well as a lowered ability to handle stress. As a result, cannabis use among this group is often used to cope with stress. Building better stress-handling skills may help to reduce cannabis problems for this group.

Reconciliation bill passes House narrowly

The House passed the budget reconciliation bill, which includes changes to Medicaid that will harm people with addiction.

MAHA report outlines chronic disease crisis

The MAHA Commission released its first report outlining a chronic disease crisis, pointing to ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, childhood behavior, and overmedicalization.

Opioid crisis costs US $4 trillion

An analysis from Avalere Health found that the average annual cost associated with each case of OUD is estimated to be nearly $700,000, though treatment decreases these costs.

Research News Roundup: May 29, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how people who use drugs (PWUD) and who use Fentanyl Test Strips (FTS) may also engage in a broader set of harm reduction strategies such as overdose risk reduction behaviors.

Medicaid cuts advance

The House passed the reconciliation bill, with provisions that would cause at least 7.6 million people to go uninsured.

Overdose deaths plummet in 2024

Overdose deaths fell 27% in 2024, the largest ever decline.

Trump administration reconsiders parity rules

Despite ongoing violations of parity, the Trump administration announced it will reconsider 2024 rules that aimed to strengthen these protections for addiction care.

HHS Secretary Kennedy makes first appearance before Congress

Congressional hearings on the proposed budget for HHS were contentious, as HHS Secretary Kennedy defended the cuts to his agency.

Research News Roundup: May 22, 2025

View our curated digest of the latest research news, including how integrating Reddit data into existing surveillance models significantly enhances the real-time prediction accuracy of synthetic opioid overdose rates in the U.S.

Medicaid cuts progress in Congress

The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a budget bill that would make cuts to Medicaid that would cause at least 7.6 million people to become uninsured.

White House nominates Casey Means for surgeon general

Trump withdrew his nominee for surgeon general and instead nominated MAHA leader Casey Means.

STAT debunks AG Bondi’s drug bust claims

Attorney General Bondi touted that the administration had saved 258 million lives through drug seizures, a deeply implausible claim.
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