Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU) Copyright: 2005 Pacific Daily News Contact: http://www.guampdn.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.guampdn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1122 Author: Natalie J. Quinata Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) DRUG ABUSE TACKLED Sen. Benjamin Cruz introduced a bill yesterday that would benefit nongovernment and nonprofit organizations whose goals are to help curb or end substance abuse on Guam. The former Supreme Court of Guam chief justice introduced Bill 41, which would appropriate $600,000 from the Healthy Futures Fund to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Cruz said after "New Beginnings," a 24-hour drug and alcohol treatment program, was discontinued, the department has abandoned its mission regarding substance abuse treatments. Though several other substance abuse treatment centers have been providing services to men, women and adolescents, a lack of funding poses serious threats to their ability to continue. Cruz said the recent discovery of a crystal methamphetamine laboratory on island prompted him to begin the legislation needed to address solutions for the island's substance abuse problems. "This is a major priority for me because we have got to deal with this problem," Cruz said. "(Mental Health) is not fulfilling its responsibility under substance abuse." Cruz's proposal would immediately provide Mental Health $600,000 to fund local nonprofit organizations that cater to drug and alcohol detoxification, rehabilitation and prevention services. The $600,000 would then be annually appropriated beginning in fiscal 2006, equally distributing the money between male, female and adolescent services. "This is just a small start, but maybe this will convince Mental Health that they have this part of the mission that needs to be fulfilled," Cruz said. Cruz expects the public hearing on the bill to be held sometime next month. - ---