WHEREAS, specifically, NTIES found that:
Crack use decreased by 50.7 percent and heroin use by 46.5 percent;
Employment increased by 18.7 percent and welfare dependence decreased by 10.7 percent;
Drug sales decreased by 78.2 percent, physical beating by 77.6 percent, and shoplifting
by 81.6 percent; and
WHEREAS, a Cornell University study of 6,000 junior high students in New York
State found that students who participate in Life Skills prevention programs are 40
percent less likely to use alcohol and drugs than those who did not participate;
WHEREAS, despite the demonstrated cost-effectiveness of alcohol and drug
treatment and prevention, funding for these services still falls short of the need for
them, as only 50 percent of the individuals who need treatment receive it; and
WHEREAS, for adolescents the problem is much worse, since only 20 percent of
adolescents with severe alcohol and drug problems receive treatment; and
WHEREAS, cities, as ‘first responders,’ shoulder most of the law
enforcement, public health, and social costs of drug use, and need some level of direct
federal assistance to address drug use in our communities, and to leverage critical
additional dollars within the corporate and foundation sectors; and
WHEREAS, while block grants afford states receive significant flexibility in
spending funds, accountability and data gathering must nevertheless be required,
especially since states are not required to coordinate substance abuse services planning
efforts with local governments, and have spent significant time and resources developing
data systems to measure alcohol and drug problems, treatment and prevention needs, and the
availability and effectiveness of services; and
WHEREAS, a vehicle for distribution of these funds already exists: the Targeted
Capacity Treatment Expansion Initiative of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA); and
WHEREAS, despite Mayors’ support for increasing funding for the Targeted
Capacity Treatment Expansion Initiative, a significant concern has been raised, in that
because states and territories are also eligible to receive these funds, the potential of
this initiative to fulfill its goals is somewhat diminished--a state’s ability to
effectively implement a ‘targeted’ program to expand substance abuse treatment
capacity at the local level is problematic, and counterintuitive to what we understand
about community outreach,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors calls
upon Congress to pass legislation reauthorizing SAMHSA in this session; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Targeted Capacity Expansion programs in CSAT and
CSAP should be authorized with separate appropriation levels--at a minimum of $250
million--so that these programs which address underserved populations and emerging drug
epidemics will be able to grow and respond to changing needs nationwide; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors calls for, at
a minimum, $100 million of the Targeted Capacity funds to be earmarked specifically for
the improvement and expansion of treatment in cities and counties, and to enhance
coordination between city and county governments and service providers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that SAMHSA reauthorization must include the
establishment of State Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Planning Councils, and
that local government officials, members of the alcohol and drug treatment and prevention
field, and treatment and prevention consumers and their families serve on these councils
with representative of state government to help ensure that federal funds are being spent
efficiently and that services throughout a state are coordinated and provided to all
populations in need.
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