Concord, N.H. — Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, applauded the announcement of a $30 million SAMHSA Harm Reduction grant program that she secured in the American Rescue Plan Act. This new funding opportunity will help non-profit and community-based organizations, as well as local and state governments, address the substance use and overdose epidemic through targeted harm reduction efforts. SAMHSA is now accepting applications for the program and will distribute $10 million per year over the next three years.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated our nation’s substance use crisis, and as overdose deaths continue to increase at a tragic rate, this new funding for harm reduction services is crucial,” said Rep. Kuster. “I was proud to secure this unprecedented SAMHSA funding opportunity in the American Rescue Plan to address the substance use and overdose epidemic through harm reduction, and I encourage Granite State organizations to apply. I will continue working to increase access to evidence-based treatment, as well as prevention and recovery efforts.”

Overdose deaths have exceeded 100,000 over the last 12 month period – a tragic and record-breaking high. Through her work on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee and as the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, Rep. Kuster continues to work across the aisle to advance solutions to address the evolving substance use crisis. The Task Force’s 2021 Legislative Agenda, released earlier this year, seeks to address the overdose crisis through evidence-based solutions.

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