It’s not a pretty picture, but this agency snaps the same frame every year

It’s impossible to have a cogent health policy without data. For mental health and use of addictive or illegal substances, that’s where the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) comes in. Its annual survey of Americans’ use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs makes for a sometimes grim, but useful picture. For more on the survey, Federal Drive host Tom Temin spoke with Jennifer Hoenig, SAMHSA’s national study director.