WHEREAS, the current level of substance abuse treatment services offered through the Department of Health is insufficient to meet the need for such services requiring San Francisco residents who seek substance abuse treatment to wait weeks/months for appropriate treatment; and,
WHEREAS, the Department has found that substance abuse among adults and adolescents is related to increases in arrests, domestic violence, use of emergency room services, suicide attempts, serious injuries, overdose death, HIV infection, and homelessness; and,
WHEREAS, the Department has documented that perinatal exposures to illicit substances leads to increased risk and illness among infants, and the excessive use of foster care; and,
WHEREAS, the Department has identified increase use and abuse of drugs among San Francisco middle and high school students; and,
WHEREAS, the Department has calculated that the total municipal and private costs of untreated substance abuse is estimated at $1.6 billion in San Francisco annually; and,
WHEREAS, the Department has requested the annualization of a treatment expansion program in the Department's base budget request for FY 1997-98; and,
WHEREAS, the Department has requested an augmentation of funds to replace lost federal and state grants and revenues, and to further augment treatment services to meet the need; and,
WHEREAS, the Department has implemented a planning process to evaluate the prevention and treatment needs and resources available in the community in order to fully develop treatment capacity; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Health Commission supports the policy of maintaining funding for existing substance abuse services, and of increasing treatment capacity for substance abuse; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Health Commission authorizes the Director of Health to request increased funding for the replacement of lost grants and revenues, and for the augmentation of substance abuse treatment services for San Francisco residents for FY 1997-98; and, be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Health Commission directs the Department to define measurable objectives and outcomes and work with appropriate federal agencies to document and evaluate the impact of drug treatment expansion.
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Health Commission at its meeting of Tuesday, February 18, 1997.
Sandy Ouye Mori Executive Secretary to the Health Commission