By Crystal Swann
June 23, 2003

The Children, Health and Human Services Standing Committee, convened by Chair Richmond (CA) Mayor Irma Anderson met on Friday, June 6 to discuss access to drug treatment and "Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day," and consider policy resolutions.

Director John Walters, Office of National Drug Control Policy, announced the start of a new 25-Cities Initiative whose goal is to reduce drug use among all Americans by 10 percent in two years and 25 percent in five years; Director Walters will visit 25 cities across the United States. This initiative seeks to coordinate and focus the efforts of federal, state, and local programs in order to achieve the President's drug treatment and prevention goals.

The 25 cities that will be included in the initiative are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.

Kevin Miller, Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer for ABC Radio Network, updated the Mayors on a current area of emphasis of the Department of Health and Human Services and ABC Radio Network—eliminating health disparities between racial and ethnic groups in the US. "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day," an initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services, is intended to encourage individuals across the U.S. to take a loved one to a health professional on September 16, 2003. Mr. Miller stated that Mayors can play an important role in this initiative by issuing proclamations naming September 16 as "Take a Love One to the Doctor Day," asking the Mayors to promote the initiative, participating in media events, etc. For more information, visit www.healthgap.omhrc.gov for a web-based community action tool kit and visit usmayors.org for "10 Things Mayors Can Do to Promote Doctor Day."

The Honorable Mayors Otto Ipinge of Otjiwarongo, Namibia, Victor Simelane of Lavumisa, Swaziland, and David Wakudumira of Jinja, Uganda joined the committee discussion to share their insights on the similarities and differences between U.S. and African public health practices. The Mayors were part of the 2nd International Conference of Mayors meeting that was held in conjunction with the 71st Meeting of the Conference of Mayors.

Finally, the Committee reviewed all pending resolutions and approved them unanimously. A summary follows:

"In Support of the "Access to Recovery Treatment Initiative" calls The U.S. Conference of Mayors to support President Bush's three-year "Access to Recovery" treatment initiative to help stem the rising social, cultural, physical, and economical costs of drug use in our communities.

"Feed America Thursday" calls upon the people of this nation to sacrifice, or fast, for two meals on Thursday, one week before each traditional Thanksgiving and donate the money they would have spent on food to a charitable or religious organization of their choice for the purpose of feeding the hungry.

"Head Start" strongly opposes any attempt to dismantle or move Head Start to the states; supports the concept of greater cooperation among Head Start and other early learning program; and strongly urges Congress to fully fund the Head Start Program.

"Parkinson's Disease" supports efforts to increase awareness and understanding of Parkinson's Disease and to promote advocacy, education, quality of life and research to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease and other neurological condition.

"Support for Physician Prescription of Sterile Syringes to Injection Drug Users" that The United States Conference of Mayors supports the prescribing of injection equipment by physicians to patients who are addicted to injection drugs as a means of preventing the transmission of blood-borne diseases; and that prescription of injection equipment be done in conjunction with referrals to substance abuse treatment and other medical and social services.

"Emergency Plan for Aids Relief" commends the Bush Administration for its commitment to combat HIV/AIDS abroad and urges other donor nations, corporations, non-governmental organizations and individuals to follow the U.S. leadership by moving forward with the speed and seriousness this crisis requires to commit significant new financial resources to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

"Support for "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day"" that The U. S. Conference of Mayors supports September 16, 2003, and the third Tuesday in September in future years, as "Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day," and encourages mayors to work with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and ABC Radio Networks to promote Doctor Day activities in their communities.