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SAMHSA News is the public communication tool of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Long issued in print newsletter format, it is now available on the Newsroom section of the SAMHSA website.

“Just as mind and body are one, equitable mental health benefits must be a part of health care reform.” -Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, remarks at 1993 SAMHSA Constituency Conference

In 1992, the ADAMHA Reorganization Act created the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA is the successor agency to the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration. Its mission is to lead the federal response to behavioral health crises and work towards equitable access to care. It coordinates with agencies at all levels of government, as well as organizations from the nonprofit and private sector.

The first issue of SAMHSA News reported on a “Constituency Conference” to set priorities for the new agency as it continued the work of its predecessor. Following the conference report, the director of each SAMHSA division provided an overview of their office’s responsibilities. The first wave of the American opioid crisis, rising methamphetamine use, and HIV/AIDS were just a few of the public health concerns of the early 1990s.

From the outset, the language of SAMHSA was remarkable for its empathetic and professional approach to behavioral health. The agency framed substance abuse as an illness influenced by social factors, rather than a moral failing or irredeemable condition. The existence of the Office on AIDS signaled a major shift in federal priorities. Prior administrations had, at worst, demonized HIV+ individuals and, at best, expressed indifference towards HIV/AIDS patients. SAMHSA officials were also clear about the disproportionate impact of mental illness on vulnerable populations, including women and people of color.

In the 2020s, the agency’s work continues to be vital and indispensable, addressing continued barriers to access, societal neglect of individuals with severe psychiatric disorders, and the second wave of the opioid crisis.

Citation:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (1993). SAMHSA News v. 1, no. 1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Melania Trump was labeled “disrespectful” and “inappropriate” after she didn’t wear black to Rosalynn Carter’s funeral. 

Former President Jimmy Carter reflected on his extensive partnership with his beloved wife,Rosalynn Carter, after her death Sunday afternoon.