Cooperative Agreement for a Provider's Clinical Support System for the Appropriate Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Pain and Opioid-related Addiction (Short Title: PCSS-Opioids)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2014 Provider’s Clinical Support System for the Appropriate Use of Opioids in the Treatment of Pain and Opioid-related Addiction (Short Title: PCSS-Opioids) grant. The purpose of this grant is to develop a free national mentoring network that will provide clinical support (e.g., clinical updates, consultations, evidence-based outcomes, and training) to physicians, dentists, and other medical professionals in the appropriate use of opioids for the treatment of chronic pain and opioid-related addiction. This initiative will help SAMHSA address the nation’s major concern about the morbidity and mortality that have been caused by misuse/abuse and fatal drug interactions involving opioids used in the treatment of addiction and chronic pain. (see Appendix G, Background Information). SAMHSA has a strong interest in and responsibility for helping ensure that methadone, whether prescribed for pain management or dispensed for the treatment of opioid dependence, is being used appropriately by physicians who have been trained in the latest evidence-based practices. The population of focus for this initiative includes prescribers (physicians, dentists) and other health professionals working in SAMHSA-certified OTPs as well as those prescribers using opiate-based therapy for chronic pain. The training and technical assistance provided under this initiative will address the specific complexities that are inherent in opioid-based therapy and the ways in which those complexities affect the appropriate care of individuals being treated for chronic pain and opioid-related addiction. This program aims at reducing the likelihood of morbidity and mortality caused by substance misuse/abuse and fatal drug interactions involving opioids. PCSS-Opioids align with the goals of SAMHSA’s Prevention Strategic Initiative of reducing the likelihood of substance abuse, mental illness, and suicide across the Nation’s communities. The PCSS-Opioids program seeks to address behavioral health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities and LGBT populations by encouraging the implementation of training and technical assistance that assists recipients in decreasing the differences in access, use and outcomes among these subpopulations. (see Appendix H: Addressing Behavioral Health Disparities). The PCSS-Opioids program is authorized under Section 509 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Substance Abuse Topic Area HP 2020-SA.