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Phone Call Script:

Hello, my name is [FIRST AND LAST NAME], and I’m a [YOUR PROFESSION] working with people affected by opioid use disorder in [CITY].

I’m calling to ask that [SENATOR/CONGRESSMAN/CONGRESSWOMAN NAME] urge HHS Secretary Kennedy to immediately reverse the recent staff terminations at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

SAMHSA plays a critical role in supporting opioid treatment programs here in [STATE] and across the country. These cuts are already causing delays in patient care and new program approvals. If not reversed, the impact on our ability to respond to the opioid crisis could be severe.

Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent issue.

_____________________________________________________

Email:

Subject: Urgent Request to Reverse SAMHSA Workforce Reductions

Dear [Senator/Congressman/Congresswoman] [Last Name],

As a [STATE YOUR ROLE] working in a SAMHSA/CSAT-certified Opioid Treatment Program, I’m writing to urgently request that you call on Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy to immediately reverse the most recent reduction-in-force (RIF) terminations at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

SAMHSA plays a critical role in supporting opioid treatment programs like mine across [INSERT STATE]. Its guidance, oversight, and resources are essential to our ability to respond effectively to the opioid and addiction crisis in our communities.

Unfortunately, the impact of 10% of SAMHSA’s staff being terminated in April was already being felt prior to the October 10th RIF announcement. Approvals for new programs and mobile treatment units are delayed. Requests submitted through the SAMHSA Extranet—where we handle critical patient-related communications—are now backlogged, overwhelming the remaining staff. These disruptions are jeopardizing patient care and threatening access to life-saving treatment.

We are deeply concerned that these further staffing cuts will exacerbate these issues and severely impair our national response to mental health and substance use disorders. 

Moreover, we are concerned about reports that the Administration is moving forward without Congressional approval to consolidate SAMHSA into the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). Retaining SAMHSA as an independent agency is essential to ensuring these services remain a federal priority. Eliminating or weakening it at a time of record-high need would be disastrous and could reverse recent critical gains in reducing the number of overdose deaths.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Please act now to protect SAMHSA and the vital services it supports.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR TITLE / ORGANIZATION]
[CONTACT INFO]