Addiction Technology Transfer Centers Funded By SAMHSA and NIDA To Combat Substance Abuse In The United States

With the problem of addiction out of control in the United States, fueled by prescription drug abuse, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in partnership with the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) are giving grants for the development of Addiction Technology Transfer Centers. With applications due by June 28, 2012, the purpose of this program is to develop and strengthen the workforce that provides addictions treatment and recovery support services to those in need. ONE80CENTER supports this inter-disciplinary approach in the form of teamwork to address substance abuse problem that is spiraling out of control.

Addiction Technology Transfer Centers

The grants for Addiction Technology Transfer Centers are being offered to foster a unique synergy between the team to address the question of addiction. In partnership with treatment provider associations, addictions counselors, multidisciplinary behavioral health professionals, faith and recovery community leaders, family members of those in recovery, and other stakeholders, the Addiction Technology Centers assess the training and development needs of the substance use disorders workforce. The ultimate goal is to develop and conduct training and technology transfer activities to meet identified needs. The emphasis this year is on increasing knowledge and improving skills to foster promising treatment/recovery practices in recovery-oriented systems of care.

SAMHSA believes that a well-trained recovery-oriented workforce is central to the successful implementation of their first strategic initiatives to address the problem of addiction and substance abuse in the United States. Workforce development is a fundamental component of this first initiative. The Addiction Technology Transfer Centers are expected to directly support and enhance SAMHSA’s new regional presence. Now, more than ever, SAMHSA has expressed that it is critical that the addictions workforce be prepared for the influx of services expected to be needed in the future.

In order to maintain consistency and maximize impact, it is critical that the ATTCs (Addiction Technology Transfer Centers) remain aligned with SAMHSA’s direction and leadership on key priority areas. SAMHSA is in the process of developing a consensus definition of trauma and trauma informed care. Such guidelines for the implementation of trauma-informed systems will have applicability across different service sectors. With our cutting edge work in trauma treatment like EMDR and Equine Therapy, ONE80CENTER supports the Addiction Technology Transfer Centers initiative. At this point in time, a national initiative and focus is needed to address the explosion of substance disorders and addiction problems that have been fueled by prescription drug abuse.