The momentum we are seeing must be matched with sustained action, measurable accountability, and bipartisan commitment to reforms that save lives.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement from Shatterproof Following the President’s State of the Union Address
February 25, 2026, Washington, D.C. — Shatterproof, a national nonprofit dedicated to addressing the addiction crisis, welcomed the President’s focus tonight on reducing fentanyl trafficking. It coincides with the need for a coordinated national response to substance use disorder and the continued advancement of the Great American Recovery Initiative.
While recent data show an encouraging reduction in overdose deaths, addiction continues to devastate families and communities across the country at catastrophic levels. Sustained, evidence-based action — not short-term relief — will determine whether this progress holds.
More than 48 million Americans are living with substance use disorder. Yet only about one in five people who need treatment receive it, and fewer still receive care that meets evidence-based standards. That gap represents lives at risk.
“As a country, we cannot confuse temporary improvements with a permanent solution,” said Pam Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of Shatterproof. “Addiction is still claiming lives at an unacceptable rate. Families are still navigating a fragmented, inconsistent system. If we are serious about saving lives, we must capture this opportunity and invest in prevention, integrate care, and ensure access and quality treatment.”
One immediate bipartisan step forward is passage of the COMPLETE Care Act (S. 931/H.R. 2509).
The legislation would incentivize primary care practices to integrate behavioral health services, including substance use disorder treatment, into routine medical care. The bill supports the adoption of the evidence-based Collaborative Care Model (CoCM), which uses measurement-based care to track patient progress and improve clinical outcomes. Integrating behavioral health into primary care settings expands access in rural and underserved communities, reduces hospitalizations and emergency room visits through early intervention, and strengthens the behavioral health workforce by embedding expertise where patients first demonstrate need.
“Integrating behavioral health into primary care is not a theoretical solution — it is a proven model that improves outcomes and saves healthcare costs,” Jenkins said. “Congress has a clear opportunity to strengthen the foundation of addiction care right now by passing the COMPLETE Care Act. Bipartisan leadership on this issue is possible, and it is urgently needed.”
For years, Shatterproof has worked alongside federal leaders, providers, employers, and families to repair a broken addiction care system. Shatterproof Founder and Chairperson Emeritus, Gary Mendell, testified before the first Opioid Commission in 2017, helping elevate family voices and shape national recommendations that continue to guide policy nearly a decade later.
The Great American Recovery Initiative presents an opportunity to reinforce prevention, improve quality and accountability in treatment, and confront stigma with science.
Addiction remains a national emergency.
The momentum we are seeing must be matched with sustained action, measurable accountability, and bipartisan commitment to reforms that save lives.
Media Contact
Holly Jespersen
Senior Manager, Communications
Shatterproof
hjespersen@shatterproof.org
646-334-1024
About Shatterproof
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where addiction never defines or ends a life. Guided by its mission to transform systems, support families, and end stigma, Shatterproof advances evidence-based solutions to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery; drives policy change to strengthen addiction care and accountability; educates the public to replace stigma with understanding; and equips families with trusted resources and support. Grounded in science and rigorous measurement, Shatterproof helps people today while catalyzing lasting systems change for future generations.
Follow Shatterproof on Facebook, X, and YouTube at @ShatterproofHQ, and on Instagram at @weareshatterproof. Learn more at www.Shatterproof.org.
