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1999 SESSION

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993830666
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 499 Offered January 21, 1999 Requesting the Office of Substance Abuse Services in the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services to complete its review of substance abuse services needs in the Commonwealth and to share such information with the Joint Subcommittee to Evaluate the Future Delivery of Publicly Funded Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. ---------- Patron-- Hanger ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, the problematic use of alcohol, illicit drugs and tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death and illness in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, several factors make it difficult to assess the extent of substance abuse including the illicit nature of many abused drugs and the social stigma attached to alcohol and other drug abuse which lead to patterns of covert use and inhibit many individuals in need of treatment from seeking help; and

WHEREAS, current data shows a decrease in the use of some drugs but increases in the uses of others; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS) is responsible for the administration, planning and regulation of substance abuse services in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, DMHMRSAS supports substance abuse services through the community services boards and, in fiscal year 1996 distributed over $28 million in state general funds and more than $27 million in federal funds from the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant to the community services boards to treat 64,310 individuals; and

WHEREAS, unfortunately, the number of individuals reported as needing services does not take into account those who do not recognize their problem or who refuse services, but estimates indicate that well over a half million Virginians are in need of some form of treatment; and

WHEREAS, the Department is in its third year of conducting a statewide assessment of the demand and need for substance abuse treatment through the Virginia Substance Abuse Needs Assessment Project (SANAP) which is funded by a contract with the federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment; and

WHEREAS, four studies, including telephone surveys and other social indicator studies, make up the SANAP study; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the SANAP study to produce results which will promote efficient use of resources to best serve those needing treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services continue with its assessment of substance abuse treatment needs in the Commonwealth and to share the results of such study with the Joint Subcommittee to Evaluate the Future Delivery of Publicly Funded Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services in order that the committee might include such information in its deliberations.