National Center for Addiction Studies and Treatment spins off from OSU Center for Health Sciences
Agreement brokered by Attorney General lets both entities focus on different strengths
OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 3, 2025) – Under an agreement mediated by Attorney General Gentner Drummond, the National Center for Addiction Studies and Treatment (NCAST) has formally spun off from the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS).
The agreement finalized Sept. 26 enables both OSU-CHS and NCAST to tackle the opioid addiction epidemic by concentrating on their respective areas of expertise. OSU-CHS will maintain its focus on direct clinical treatment, patient care and training the next generation of healthcare professionals to improve health outcomes of Oklahomans, especially for families affected by addiction. NCAST will continue its pursuit of research into non-addictive pain management drugs, more effective overdose reversal drugs, and human clinical trials aimed at validating new and improved treatments for patients in need in Oklahoma and across the nation.
The creation of NCAST in March 2019 stemmed from a historic settlement between the State of Oklahoma and Purdue Pharma. The pharmaceutical company funding established an independent foundation, NCAST, initially operating as adjunct to the Oklahoma State University Health Sciences Center in Tulsa and provides drugs for the treatment of opioid addiction.
OSU-CHS President Johnny Stephens said the transition is being executed thoughtfully to ensure continuity of current programs and services.
"This transition enables OSU-CHS to deepen our commitment to providing excellent clinical care and training healthcare professionals," he said. "Our focus on treatment aligns perfectly with our mission as a health sciences center and allows us to make an immediate, measurable impact for those struggling with addiction."
NCAST Board Chairman Tucker Link lauded the strategic separation.
“This agreement marks a significant advancement and opportunity for public health in Oklahoma,” he said. “While our partnership with Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences has been dynamic and productive, this transition better enables the National Center for Addiction Studies and Treatment Foundation to continue and expand its capabilities and permanency in Oklahoma, and its commitment to developing and validating important new clinical tools that are essential to reverse the course of the opioid crisis for Oklahoma and the nation.”
Drummond called the agreement a “win-win” for Oklahoma.
“OSU-CHS remains a champion for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to addiction and pain management through education and clinical care without the distraction of NCAST’s divergent mission and objectives,” he said.
