The United States is facing a substance abuse crisis. In 2020 (documentation generally lags a few years behind in this space), there were 91,799 overdose deaths–a 30% increase from 2019. This substance abuse crisis is a problem that is impacting most if not all families in the United States, is recognized by state and local government, and is a key need that churches should move to address. Here are some recent developments in this ministry space (including peer recovery) as well as some new ideas for church-state partnerships.

Amy Brinkley is the Recovery Support Systems Coordinator for the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and serves all U.S. states and territories. Amy serves as a board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and has become nationally recognized for her recovery-focused and data-driven outcomes and focuses. She is also in long-term recovery from mental illness and substance use disorder. She previously worked for the State of Indiana, Division of Mental Health and Addictions, and has been recognized for transforming the state’s efforts in the area of addiction recovery and support for mental illness.

Key Takeaways: