Trump Administration Terminates Hundreds of Federal Grants Supporting Addiction and Mental Health Services

On January 13th, the Trump administration sent letters abruptly terminating thousands of federal grants supporting addiction treatment, overdose prevention, and mental health services. These termination letters took effect immediately and apply to hundreds of programs nationwide administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

While the full scope of the cuts remains unclear, sources told NPR they estimate that more than 2,000 grants totaling up to $2 billion may be affected nationwide. These grants support front-line services, such as overdose prevention, naloxone distribution, peer recovery support, crisis response, drug courts, and outreach for people experiencing homelessness and serious mental illness. Grant recipients were informed that their awards no longer align with the administration’s priorities and that funding ended as of January 13. 

These cuts come as the U.S. has begun to see declines in overdose deaths. They also compound recent Medicaid reductions that have already strained addiction and mental health providers.

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