HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 60

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Rory J. Ogle

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT STATE AGENCIES EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF CONVERTING STATE PROPERTIES FOR USE AS DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT FACILITIES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is experiencing a drug and health crisis due to the manufacture of methamphetamine in our state; and

     WHEREAS, methamphetamine manufacture and use have expanded by more than two hundred percent in recent years; and

     WHEREAS, there are currently seventy-four state-operated beds for drug abuse treatment in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, due to staffing limitations, only sixty-four of those beds are actually operational; and

     WHEREAS, while many drug addicts are incarcerated for crimes they committed to support their addiction, incarceration alone will not solve the problems that fuel their addiction; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico must examine methods to expand the availability of state-operated drug treatment facilities;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health and the human services department be requested to examine the feasibility of converting underutilized or vacant state properties for use as drug abuse treatment facilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health and the secretary of human services.

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