Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration March 4, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In summarizing the challenge that will be issued by your agency, please answer the following four questions: (1) What action is being taken? The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has issued a challenge to developers to help support patients in recovery who are receiving medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder with an innovative app that provides features and information that support their recovery. (2) Why is this action necessary? Addressing the opioid epidemic is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Secretary is committed to evidence-informed interventions to turn the tide against opioid drug-related overdose and misuse. To that end, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is issuing a three-month challenge to spur developers to create an app that provides additional recovery support to patients receiving outpatient medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. (3) What is the objective of the challenge? To provide support to people in recovery from opioid use disorder receiving medication assisted-treatment so that they can maintain treatment and achieve long-term recovery. (4) What is the intended effect of this action? An increase in the number of individuals with opioid use disorders maintaining recovery; and a reduction in the number of deaths from opioid overdose.