The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced today 46 grant awards for $22.5 million over the next year to help states, tribes, and territories enhance their substance abuse prevention efforts.

"We stand at a crossroads in our nation's efforts to prevent substance abuse and addiction," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. "The nation's most recent survey data from SAMHSA shows an uptick in substance abuse in America. These new grants are designed to help states and better position communities to reach America's young people before they become involved with alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco and abuse prescription drugs."

The strategic prevention framework, built over the years by SAMHSA in collaboration with the states, forms the foundation of the nation's substance abuse prevention service delivery system. These new grants will help states conduct planning activities for the future that focus on new emerging challenges in preventing substance abuse and new opportunities for enhancing data collection, analysis and reporting systems, coordinating services, and providing technical assistance and training.

This grant program is part of SAMHSA's Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Strategic Initiative. Grant awards are subject to both availability of funds and progress achieved by the awardees.