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ASAM joined 145 members of the Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose (CSOO) and other organizations in sending a letter voicing support for the Comprehensive Addiction Resources Emergency (CARE) Act of 2019. Modeled directly on the Ryan White Act, the CARE Act of 2019 would provide $100 billion in federal funding over the next ten years to states, local governments, and other organizations and institutions to support federal research and programs to prevent drug use while expanding access to prevention, harm reduction, addiction treatment, mental health services, and recovery support services.

The letter emphasizes how this level of authorized funding is critical in order to build comprehensive systems that are both effective and sustainable. In addition, the letter highlights how the CARE Act would incent systemic changes to facilitate adoption of evidence-based practices including the implementation of nationally recognized level of care standards for addiction treatment programs and new standards for recovery residence. The letter also highlights how the CARE Act would help grow our mental health and addiction services workforce by improving training for healthcare professionals who care for patients with mental health and substance use disorders in communities across the US.