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Reps. Becca Balint and Jill Tokuda Reintroduce Bill to Bolster Mental Health Supports after Disasters

Washington, November 21, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) reintroduced the Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act. Following a year of climate emergencies across the country, Americans are suffering the cost. While the physical damage is clear, disaster-stricken communities need resources to cope with the mental and emotional damage they endure.  

Current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants are authorized to provide professional counseling services to victims of major disasters through the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCATP). The Addressing Addiction After Disasters (AAAD) Act strengthens the CCATP by allowing FEMA to provide services for substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder. 

“Too many communities in Vermont and across the country have endured devastating natural disasters driven by climate change. These disasters cause severe financial and emotional stress on regular people, which can lead to an increase in substance-use and alcohol-use disorders,” said Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL). “I’m proud to work with Rep. Tokuda and our colleagues to bring forth legislation that helps destigmatize these struggles and provide services to support those dealing with a substance use disorder and mental health issues in the aftermath of a disaster.”  

"When a disaster strikes, it leaves scars that cannot always be seen. The emotional strain can push those already struggling with addiction into more despair, stress, and trauma," said Rep. Tokuda (HI-02). "That's what I'm proud to join Rep. Balint in introducing this legislation to ensure victims have access to the services they need to care for their health, safety, and well-being. Recovery after a disaster isn't just about rebuilding roads and bridges — it's also about rebuilding lives." 

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Norton, Fields, Moulton, Carson, Soto, Costa, Thanedar, Budzinski, and Davids. 

Studies show that following Hurricane Katrina, alcohol consumption increased by about 185% from before the storm and the annual hospitalization rate for substance use disorders increased by approximately 30%. Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, 60% of individuals with substance use disorders experienced withdrawal and 70% of those on opioid maintenance therapy could not obtain sufficient doses. 
The CCATP helps people recover and rebuild their lives after a disaster. The CCATP works through immediate interventions such as: 

  • Assisting disaster survivors with navigating their current situation and reactions 
  • Reducing stress and providing emotional support 
  • Reviewing survivors’ disaster recovery options 
  • Disseminating the use or development of coping strategies 
  • Connecting survivors with other people and agencies who can help them in their recovery process.  
 
The Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act is endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), Kennedy Forum, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association of Behavioral Healthcare (NABH), and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.   

The full bill text is here.  
  
A one-page summary of the bill is here.  

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