Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), was established by an act of Congress in 1992 under Public Law 102-321. With the stroke of a pen, an agency, separate and distinct from the National Institutes of Health or any other agency within the HHS, was created to focus attention, programs, and funding on improving the lives of people with or at risk for mental and substance abuse disorders.

One of the programs SAMHSA governs is that of a drug-free workplace. Another related program is that of drug testing. Some employers, such as those with employees governed by the Department of Transportation, are required to comply with drug-testing requirements. Many employers want to maintain a drug-free workplace, and choose to follow the guidelines set up by SAMHSA.

The HHS also has regulations regarding Mental Health Parity at 45 CFR 146.136 to provide for parity in the application of certain dollar limits on mental health benefits with dollar limits on medical/surgical benefits. The Mental Health Parity Act also involves the Employee Benefit Security Administration under the Department of Labor, as well as the Internal Revenue Service.