The Federal Government's Influence on SAMHSA's Initiatives

This essay examines the significant impact of federal government initiatives on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It highlights how federal funding and policies enhance SAMHSA's ability to address public health issues related to substance abuse and mental health. The study emphasizes the role of the federal government in providing leadership, technical assistance, and financial support, which enables SAMHSA to improve awareness, prevention, and cessation programs. Key aspects discussed include the financial support provided to the Centers for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (CSAP and CSAT), the influence of national health standards, and the enhancements in data collection and surveillance systems. The essay also explores the impact of legislation like the 21st Century Cures Act and the Affordable Care Act, illustrating how these initiatives improve public health standards and SAMHSA's operational effectiveness. The author concludes by emphasizing the necessity of a strong collaborative relationship between the federal government and public agencies like SAMHSA to ensure effective public health outcomes.

Running head: CHANGES OVER AGENCIES, SAMHSA
CHANGES OVER AGENCIES, SAMHSA
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Author Note

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This study talks about the initiatives of the federal government that makes a
difference in awareness prevention, and cessation of issues brought out by SAMHSA
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). In the United States, primary
roles of the federal government are to provide good leadership, assistance related to technical
fields and addition of funds to the nation. Other inclusions are national data assurance,
surveillance and monitoring systems (Niskanen, 2017). SAMHSA is a sector of the US
Department of Health and Human Services which is in charge of health among the
population.
According to me, the various initiatives taken forth by the federal government
possesses a changing impact on the various issues brought forward by SAMHSA. The federal
government provides the agency with additional funds to enhance its working procedure.
This factor has a significant impact on the awareness and prevention issues of SAMHSA. The
federal government is financially supporting every public health awareness and prevention
strategies implemented by SAMHSA. The centres for substance abuse prevention and
treatment (CSAP and CSAT), are mainly assisted by the federal government (Babor, Del
Boca, & Bray, 2017). They can now implement different strategies for reducing alcohol and
drug abuse, which they could not do outside the jurisdiction of the federal government.
On evaluation, I can state that CSAT and CSAP are being supported by national
standards and funding processes of the government. This procedure makes a complete
difference in the awareness and prevention issues brought out by the agency. National health
standards which include establishing of implementation of policies which can ensure a well
being of the population. Center of behavioural health statistics and quality has a division of
surveillance and data collection. Government initiatives are also enhancing this sector by
increasing the accuracy in data collection and providing better surveillance systems for
substance abuse. 21st Century Cures act implemented by the federal government addresses

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accountability and leadership for behavioural health problems at the level of central
government (Obama, 2016). As a result, the issues placed forward by SAMHSA are mostly
in assistance to the federal government which makes the process different for SAMSHA
working alone.
An analysis of differences in the issues stated by SAMHSA, when assisted by the
federal government will mostly mention the strengths of the initiatives of the federal
government. Different acts like the addiction recovery act, affordable care act and the
formerly stated cures act works for the SAMHSA. These acts not only improved public
health standards but also helps in the improvement of the working process of SAMHSA.
Public awareness plans implemented by SAMHSA are changed by governmental rules which
makes them more useful. 70% of the strategies implemented by SAMHSA are changed for
betterment by the federal government standards (Lyon, 2017).
On a concluding note, it can be stated that private agencies cannot work alone. They
need the government’s aid for the betterment of their actions on public health. A good future
can be hoped of provided there is a mutual relationship between the federal government and
the public agencies (SAMHSA).

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References:
Babor, T. F., Del Boca, F., & Bray, J. W. (2017). Screening, brief intervention and referral to
treatment: implications of SAMHSA's SBIRT initiative for substance abuse policy
and practice. Addiction, 112, 110-117.
Lyon, J. (2017). SAMHSA Releases New State-By-State Reports on US Behavioral
Health. Jama, 318(12), 1098-1098.
Niskanen, J. (2017). Bureaucracy and representative government. Routledge.
Obama, B. (2016). United States health care reform: progress to date and next
steps. Jama, 316(5), 525-532.