Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
March 8, 2004, Vol. 04-24

NEW PROGRAM PROMOTES CHOICE, ACCOUNTABILITY IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

Thousands of Americans with substance use disorders will have the opportunity to choose their treatment options for recovery under Access to Recovery, a new $100 million discretionary grant program for states, announced today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The competitive grant program will give recipient states, territories, the District of Columbia and tribal organizations broad discretion to design and implement federally supported voucher programs to pay for a range of effective, community-based, substance abuse clinical treatment and recovery support services. By providing vouchers to people in need of treatment, the grant program promotes individual choice for substance abuse treatment and recovery services. It also expands access to care, including access to faith- and community-based programs, and increases substance abuse treatment capacity.

SAMHSA's Access to Recovery grant program is a centerpiece of the initiative announced by President Bush in 2003 to help people who want to get off drugs secure the best treatment options available to meet their specific needs.

"Giving people the power to choose a treatment program that reflects their values and needs can help them triumph over addiction and achieve recovery," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "Access to Recovery will help Americans who are seeking treatment but unable to obtain care. This program is designed to help people reach recovery in body, mind, and heart."

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.