Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
July 2, 2003, Vol. 03-54

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: SAMHSA Press Office

301-443-8956

July 1, 2003

www.samhsa.gov

SAMHSA RELEASES EMERGENCY PLANNING GRANTS TO 35 STATES FOR MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the release of nearly .5 million to help 35 state governments develop effective mental health and substance abuse response systems for use in response to both natural and man-made emergencies.

"These grants will help state governments prepare to meet these important needs before emergencies occur," Secretary Thompson said. "Disasters and other emergencies can leave deep scars and psychological trauma long after physical damage to buildings and other facilities have been repaired. Should an emergency strike, these grants will help assure that resources for counseling, support, and recovery are in place."

These funds will be integrated into other emergency program support to provide better, comprehensive responses to all foreseeable consequences of an emergency. This "All Hazards" planning anticipates a comprehensive approach addressing elements of administration, leadership, continuity of operations, public information, and resource management to address specific needs in an emergency.

"SAMHSA intends to provide assistance before disaster strikes, so states can implement well designed mental health and substance abuse response plans," SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie explained. "This will allow mental health and substance abuse assistance to be integrated into state disaster relief plans, rather than come along later."

State governments or specified organizations in the following states will each receive slightly under $100,000 each to assist in this effort: Wisconsin, Nebraska, Indiana, Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Minnesota, Iowa, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Maine, West Virginia, California, New Jersey, Ohio, Connecticut, Missouri, South Carolina, Alabama, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Oregon, Texas, Alaska, Colorado, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Illinois.

SAMHSA, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead agency for improving the quality and availability of substance prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services in the United States.