The National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a critical annual survey assessing mental health and substance use across the U.S., faces instability following significant federal workforce reductions. The survey, involving around 70,000 participants annually, was integral to understanding substance use and mental health outcomes. Recent job cuts aimed at downsizing the federal government led to the dissolution of the survey's leading team, raising concerns about the continuity of vital data used by researchers. Despite this, some reports based on 2023 data are still being published.
"It is really the first line for people to understand the prevalence of substance use, substance use disorders and mental health outcomes, treatment, recovery and things like that."
"We survey about 70,000 people, 12 and older each year" says Jennifer Hoenig, who used to lead the team of scientists in charge of the survey, which is the largest in the country.
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