Pubdate: Mon, 09 Apr 2001
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2001 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  http://www.abqjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10
Author: Brendan Smith

DRUG REHAB FUNDED

SANTA FE - Most of Gov. Gary Johnson's drug-reform package died in the 
Legislature, but one bill expected to have a major impact, at least for 
addicts seeking help, passed and was signed by Johnson last week.

Senate Bill 628 provides $9.8 million in the first year of a three-year 
program to expand drug-treatment services to New Mexico residents and some 
state prisoners.

The funding should help 2,100 to 2,500 substance abusers receive treatment. 
Under the bill, the state Health Department will receive:

* $5 million to expand or create regional substance-abuse intervention, 
treatment and harm-reduction programs.

* $1.8 million to expand statewide substance-abuse prevention programs for 
youth.

* $1 million to create community reintegration programs in conjunction with 
the state Corrections Department for parolees with substance-abuse problems.

The Corrections Department also will get $2 million for an alternative 
treatment program in a state prison and for residential treatment programs 
for some female ex-convicts.

The Health Department spent about $32.4 million in state and federal 
funding this fiscal year on its substance-abuse prevention and treatment 
programs, which serve about 10,500 people, according to state analysts.

The additional $7.8 million to the Health Department represents a 24 
percent increase in substance-abuse funding.

"What a great day," Health Department Secretary Alex Valdez said Thursday 
after the governor signed the treatment bill. "I think that treatment bill 
is really going to have a positive impact statewide."

The Health Department will use its regional care coordination system to 
distribute the $5 million for expanded drug-treatment and harm-reduction 
programs statewide, Valdez said.

Some of the funds may help expand the department's needle-exchange program 
and to purchase more Narcan, an injectable antidote for heroin overdoses, 
so law-enforcement officers can be trained on its use, Valdez said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager