WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week led his colleagues in calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to fully fund the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services (SUBG) Block Grant program in the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY25) 2025 Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The grants provide states with the funding and resources they need to build robust prevention, treatment, and recovery services. This request would fund this federal grant program in-line with what has been requested in the President’s FY25 budget.
In 2022, more than 1.6 million Americans were enrolled in treatment programs funded by these grants. SUBG-funded programs are effective: clients discharged from SUBG-funded treatment programs were more likely than individuals in non-SUBG programs to abstain from drugs and alcohol, see a decrease in their interactions with law enforcement, and access stable housing.
The letter was sent to leadership of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies, and was signed by Sen. Welch and Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
“As you consider Fiscal Year (FY25) 2025 Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding, we write to respectfully request at least $2,008,079,000 in funding for the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services (SUBG) Block Grant,” wrote the lawmakers. “As you know, the ongoing opioid epidemic and associated overdose deaths is a public health crisis that is growing in complexity with the rise in deaths also attributable to stimulant use. Despite the significant prevalence of substance use disorders, just one in four people in need of SUD treatment received it in 2022. More must be done to support effective prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.”
“Congressional investment in SUBG is critical to supporting our states, communities, and constituents as they respond to the overdose crisis. To that end, we urge you to robustly fund the SUBG as work progresses on FY25 appropriations bills. Specifically, we encourage you to include at least $2,008,079,000 for the program,” continued the lawmakers. “These thoughtful investments in the SUBG will strengthen communities, keep families together, and more importantly, save lives.”
Read and download the full letter.
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