The budget approved by the House of Representatives appropriations committee for the Department of Health and Human Services has recommended more funding for the addiction block grant as well as the leading federal treatment and prevention agencies.

Under the FY 2008 unanimously endorsed by the House Labor, Health and Human Services [HHS], Education, and related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant would receive $1.79 billion, $35 million more than in 2007 and in the Bush administration's budget request. The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment would get $399.3 million, about level with 2007 but $47.2 million more than Bush's request. The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention would be funded at $192.9 million, the same as in 2007 but up $36.4 million from Bush's budget plan.

The House subcommittee also recommended $300 million for the Safe and Drug Free Schools State Grants program, $46.5 million less than in 2007 but $200 more than the amount requested by the president. The budget draft also calls for $442.9 million for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (up 6.6 million from last year) and $1.016 billion for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (up $16 million).

The full House appropriations committee may vote on the measure this week.