5600 Fishers Lane • Rockville, MD 20857 

www.samhsa.gov • 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) 

∙

March 15, 2023 

Dear Tribal Leaders: 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with the Drug 

Enforcement Administration (DEA) will hold a virtual tribal educator listening session on 

March 27th, 2023, to gather tribal educator perspectives on implementing Section 1263 of the 

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, better known as the Medication Access and 

Training Expansion (MATE) Act (see https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr2617/

BILLS-117hr2617enr.pdf). 

As HHS/SAMHSA and DEA continue to implement Section 1263 of the Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, 2023, SAMHSA and DEA seek views and perspectives from tribal 

educators on key opioid use disorders (OUDs) and other substance use disorders (SUDs) training 

elements, particularly as it relates to tribally focused educational needs. This will help inform 

SAMHSA and DEA guidance and materials related to the implementation of this important 

provision. 

Title: SAMHSA Medication Access and Training Expansion Act Listening Session with 

Tribal Educators 

When: Monday, March 27th

Time: 12:00 PM ET to 2:00 PM ET 

You must register in advance for this meeting. Register at: 

Registration Link 

Objectives of the listening session: 

1. Elicit information concerning stakeholder views and perspectives on key OUD and other

SUD training elements, particularly as they pertain to tribally focused educational needs.

2. Learn about existing OUD and other SUD-related educational and other training

activities happening in Indian country, including by Tribal educational institutions.

Planned discussion questions: 

1. Section 1263 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (aka “the MATE Act”)

mentions broad categories of SUD curricula for physician and non-physician

practitioners, including treating and managing opioid and other SUDs with treatments

that include the appropriate clinical use of all FDA-approved medications for SUD or the

safe pharmacological management of dental pain and screening, brief intervention, and

Behavioral Health is Essential to Health • Prevention Works • Treatment is Effective • People Recover
 

referral for treatment for those individuals identified to have or be at risk for developing 

opioid and other SUDs. 

a. Are there particular aspects of these elements that are important to Tribal

communities that SAMHSA and DEA should consider as these agencies and

partners implement these requirements?

2. SAMHSA understands that these areas may not capture all the salient elements learners

need to know and be able to apply when it comes to addressing SUD among Native

people.

a. What, if any, additional elements, or topics should SAMHSA and DEA consider

in providing guidance or materials to training entities?

3. What curricula for SUD are currently being used by Tribal educational institutions?

4. What other OUD and other SUD-related educational and training activities are tribal

educators engaging in with healthcare professionals and/or students?

If you have any questions, please contact SAMHSA’s Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy at 

OTAP@SAMHSA.HHS.GOV. 

Sincerely, 

__________/signed/____________

Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D. 

Assistant Secretary for Mental 

Health and Substance Use 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) • 1-800-487-4889 (TDD) • www.samhsa.gov