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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Department of Health (DOH)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

SB 368 appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to the NM Office of Indian Affairs for expenditure in fiscal year 2001 to contract to train staff who will provide skills training and family support services to families dealing with alcoholism and to provide evaluation of that program in eastern agency area in McKinley County. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2001 shall revert to the general fund.

Significant Issues

The Department of Health assumes that Navajo Nation would provide the staff training in its Eastern Agency Area in McKinley County. McKinley county has one of the highest rates of alcohol abuse in the nation.

According to DOH, one of the leading deficiencies in treatment services is relapse prevention and family services. DOH states that training in those areas would assist in decreasing rates of relapse.

Evaluation of the program is an important component is assessing outcomes and cost effectiveness.

DOH states that the bill does not describe the structure of the proposed program, i.e., who are the staff referred to, how many people will be involved, what types of skills and training are needed and who will administer the program?

DOH does not indicate how this program relates with other substance abuse programs that they administer.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There is no fiscal impact on DOH.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

DOH reports that substance abuse, especially alcohol abuse is a serious problem in McKinley County. This county has the highest incidence per capita of alcohol abuse in NM and in the nation. DOH acknowledges that alcohol abuse is endemic among Native Americans and is the leading cause of health related problems and crime.

Research indicates that those who receive training in life skills (assuming such training will be used for employment and life skills) and whose families are actively involved in the recovery process have higher rates of success.

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