The Addiction Science Under Siege Report
- National Prevention Science Coalition
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
Updated: May 8
The 2025 Impact of Federal Actions on Research, Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery
The Addiction Science Defense Network (ASDN), in collaboration with the National Prevention Science Coalition and the Drug Policy Alliance, invites organizations and individuals across the country to endorse a nonpartisan letter to Members of Congress calling for action to protect the scientific and public health infrastructure supporting addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery.
The letter accompanies the forthcoming report:
Addiction Science Under Siege: The 2025 Impact of Federal Actions on Research, Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery
Prepared by an interdisciplinary working group of leading scientists, clinicians, economists, and former federal officials, the report provides a comprehensive assessment of how recent changes in federal policy, funding, staffing, and data systems have affected the nation’s capacity to address substance use and addiction.
The findings indicate that disruptions to research funding, workforce capacity, and public health data systems have weakened critical infrastructure that has been developed over the past 50 years with bipartisan congressional support and taxpayer investment. At a time when substance-related harms remain historically high, protecting the foundation of addiction science is essential to ensuring continued progress in prevention, treatment, and recovery.
ASDN represents a broad community of professionals dedicated to advancing evidence-based approaches to addiction, including psychologists, psychiatrists, neuroscientists, epidemiologists, economists, physicians, counselors, social workers, nurses, and many others working to improve individual and population health.
By signing this letter, organizations and individuals are asking Members of Congress to read the ASDN report, follow its recommendations and demonstrate their support for:
Maintaining a strong and stable national addiction research infrastructure
Ensuring continuity of prevention programs and treatment and recovery services
Preserving access to reliable public health data
Supporting the highly trained workforce dedicated to addressing substance use and addiction
Promoting evidence-informed policymaking that benefits families and communities nationwide
ASDN will send the letter and impact report to all Members of Congress on May 7, 2026.
Participate
Endorse the Letter
Join organizations and professionals nationwide in supporting the protection of addiction science and public health infrastructure.
Read the Letter to Congress
Review the nonpartisan letter that will be shared with Members of Congress
Watch the Launch Event (from May 7th)
Full Report & Executive Summary
Audience-Specific Recommendation Briefs
These downloadable recommendation briefs were developed from the full report, Addiction Science Under Siege: The 2025 Impact of Federal Actions on Research, Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery. Each brief is tailored to a specific audience and highlights key findings, implications, and recommended actions relevant to that sector. PDFs can be downloaded individually below.