Washington, D.C. (February 1, 2026) — The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) issued the following statement in response to the White House’s January 29, 2026 Executive Order establishing the Great American Recovery Initiative to coordinate a national response to the substance use crisis across government, healthcare, faith communities, and the private sector.
“NCADD welcomes a sustained national focus on preventing substance use disorder, expanding access to evidence-based services, and strengthening long-term recovery supports,” said Denise L. Kolivoski, MBA, Executive Director of NCADD. “This Executive Order reflects an important reality: substance use disorder is a preventable treatable health condition—and far too many people who need care still don’t receive it, often because they don’t recognize treatment is needed or they face barriers when they try to access services.”
The Executive Order directs the Initiative to coordinate the federal response; increase public awareness and foster a culture that celebrates recovery; integrate prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery support, and re-entry; advise agencies on grant priorities to support prevention, treatment, and long-term resilience; and consult with states, tribal nations, local jurisdictions, and community-based organizations on strategies that help more Americans access care.
NCADD encourages the Initiative to be implemented with clear, measurable objectives and with close partnership across communities—especially people with lived experience, families, frontline providers, and local prevention and recovery organizations. To be effective, coordination must translate into tangible improvements at the community level, including timely access to services and practical, sustained support for recovery.
NCADD urges that implementation prioritizes:
- Timely access to care so people can receive prevention, treatment, and recovery supports when and where they need them—without barriers related to cost, coverage, geography, or stigma.
- A full continuum of services, including prevention and early intervention, evidence-based services peer recovery supports, recovery housing, employment supports, and re-entry services that promote long-term stability.
- Data-driven transparency, including regular public updates tied to measurable goals and outcomes.
- Meaningful community partnership, engaging states, tribal nations, local jurisdictions, community-based and faith-based organizations, and the private and philanthropic sectors—grounded in what is working on the ground.
Founded in 1944 by Marty Mann, NCADD’s mission is to increase public awareness, provide education, and advocate for effective prevention, treatment, and recovery supports for individuals and communities affected by substance use disorder. NCADD stands ready to collaborate with federal partners and organizations nationwide to help ensure this Initiative leads to measurable progress for families in every community.