Fourteen states and one tribal community are the recipients of a total of
$100 million in Access to Recovery grants for people seeking treatment for
drug and alcohol problems.
Access to Recovery is a three-year federal treatment initiative proposed by
President George W. Bush in his 2003 State of the Union address. The program
is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration and is designed to help people with substance abuse and
dependence to find treatment in their communities.
Under the program, people who are seeking drug and alcohol treatment and
support services will be assessed, presented with a voucher to pay for a range
of treatment services, and referred to a variety of providers who offer those
services.
In August, three-year grants were awarded to California, Connecticut,
Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico,
Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the California Rural
Indian Health Board.
In a press release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Director of National Drug Control Policy John Walters said, "Treatment
works. But addiction is not a one-size-fits-all disease. This program
represents the next step in our ability to treat this disease, opening a door
to a full range of treatment providers and offering treatment access to
thousands of Americans who would otherwise remain trapped in the maze of
addiction."
Some of the grant-winning states and community treatment initiatives within
those states include the following:
More information about the Access to Recovery initiative and grant
winners is posted online at<www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov>.▪