RD288 - Biennial Report on Substance Abuse Services Per Code of Virginia § 37.2-310 - October 1, 2015


Executive Summary:
Purpose

This biennial report provides information about the extent to which Virginians are affected by substance use disorders and the activities supported by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to address these needs during the biennium (2012-2014). National statistical information analyzed at the state level and available state data were used to identify state, regional and age-related issues.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Title 37.2 of the Code of Virginia establishes DBHDS as the state authority for alcoholism and drug abuse services. DBHDS works to make efficient, accountable and effective services available for citizens with substance use disorders. DBHDS is responsible for the administration, planning and regulation of services for substance use disorders in the state.

This biennial report is submitted in accordance with § 37.2-310 Subsection 4 which requires DBHDS:

"To report biennially to the General Assembly on the comprehensive interagency state plan for substance abuse services and the Department's activities in administering, planning, and regulating substance abuse services and specifically on the extent to which the Department's duties as specified in this title have been performed."

This document provides epidemiological information about the extent to which substance use disorders affect the residents of the Commonwealth, information about services provided and the individuals who received these services, and reports on major activities of DBHDS on their behalf.

DBHDS supports substance use disorder prevention and treatment services provided in local communities through the allocation of state general fund (GF) dollars and federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SAPT block grant) funds to 40 community services boards and behavioral health authorities (collectively referenced as CSBs). These organizations are entities of local government. The Department’s expectations for all CSBs is established in the annual community services performance contract. DBHDS funds, monitors, licenses, and regulates the CSBs which function as:

• The single point of entry into the publicly-funded substance abuse services system;
• Providers of treatment and prevention services, directly and through contracts with other providers;
• Advocates for individuals receiving services and individuals in need of services; and
• Advisors to the local governments.

Substance Related Disorders

There are several sources of definitions for conditions considered to be substance use disorders. The Code of Virginia §37.2-100 defines substance abuse as "the use of drugs, enumerated in the Virginia Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.), without a compelling medical reason or alcohol that (i) results in psychological or physiological dependence or danger to self or others as a function of continued and compulsive use or (ii) results in mental, emotional, or physical impairment that causes socially dysfunctional or socially disordering behavior and (iii), because of such substance abuse, requires care and treatment for the health of the individual. This care and treatment may include counseling, rehabilitation, or medical or psychiatric care.”

Clinical definitions usually refer to “substance use disorders,” based on 11 criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Both definitions include the nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Data reported in this document are based on DSM-5 criteria, unless otherwise stated.