SD28 - Mandated Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

  • Published: 1988
  • Author: General Assembly. Joint Subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 171 (Regular Session, 1987)

Executive Summary:
AUTHORITY FOR STUDY

The joint subcommittee was created pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution No. 171, agreed to by the 1987 Session of the General Assembly. The resolution directed the joint subcommittee to review legislatively mandated substance abuse programs, determine the need for coordination of rehabilitative and prevention services provided by various state agencies, determine the efficiency and effectiveness of the administration of substance abuse programs and services delivered by the community service boards, assess the delivery of substance abuse services in light of federal and state cutbacks and recommend methods of maximizing the utilization of available funds and enhancing service delivery mechanisms (Appendix 1).

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE

• The joint subcommittee finds that the multitude and complexity of issues which have been identified during the course of the study make it difficult to envisage a simplistic solution which would be beneficial to the Commonwealth and to the consumers of substance abuse services. Consequently, the joint subcommittee recommends that the study be continued for an additional year in order to complete the review of programs and examine in depth several specific issues which demand further study, including the issue of insurance coverage and cost for such incurred by persons requiring treatment, examination of further amendment of the civil forfeiture statute for convicted drug dealers and traffickers and other law enforcement issues, alternative treatments for substance abusers, and review and make recommendations based on the interagency comprehensive plan developed by the Department (Appendix 2).

• The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS) to be required statutorily to report annually to the General Assembly on its activities in administering, planning and requesting substance abuse services (Appendix 3).

• That the DMHMRSAS shall be designated the lead agency, in cooperation with other affected state agencies, in the formulation of an Interagency Comprehensive Plan, reviewed by the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Problems, which would describe current and projected state agency responsibilities, activities and resources. Recommendations offered by the Plan would be reviewed by the joint subcommittee.

• That the joint subcommittee endorses the development of a clinical research center through the joint effort of the DMHMRSAS and the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University.

• That the joint subcommittee endorses the development by DMHMRSAS of a research coordinating council among existing public and private substance abuse programs throughout the Commonwealth to facilitate the implementation of research projects.