HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) intends to award NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, a one-year, $99,950 contract to support its efforts to further educate addiction and mental health professionals and to inspire more counselors to join its ranks.
In 2012, as many as 23.9 million Americans ages 12 or older were classified as living with alcohol or illicit drug dependence or abuse, according to that year's National Survey on Drug Use and Health. In addition, 43.7 million adults aged 18 and older were classified with a mental illness. Millions of Americans have gained mental health coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, presumably increasing the need for trained counselors and other personnel to provide care.
