On January 29, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order creating the Great American Recovery Initiative, which coordinates the federal response to addiction in the US and prevents fatal overdoses[1][4]. The initiative is led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. along with Senior Addiction Recovery Advisor Kathryn Burgum and includes the Secretaries of the Departments of Justice, Interior, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs[1][2]. Major goals include raising awareness about addiction, advising agencies on program implementation, directing grants to support recovery, and consulting with states to ensure access to treatment[1][4]. The initiative views addiction as a chronic, treatable disease and emphasizes a shift from response to prevention, from fragmentation to coordination, and from short-term solutions to long-term recovery[2][4]. According to Kennedy, nearly 50 million Americans suffer from a substance use disorder, with many not receiving treatment or not believing in the possibility of help[2]. HHS under Kennedy rescinded $1.7 billion in SAMHSA block grants, but later reinstated them at $2 billion after public pressure[2][3]. Kennedy announced another major announcement on addiction and recovery on February 2, 2026[1][2]. The initiative does not bring new funding, but a framework for coordination and future decisions[4].