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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Begaye

DATE TYPED 2/4/2005 HB 345

SHORT TITLE Native American Substance Abuse Programs

SB

ANALYST Dunbar

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$250.0

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

Department of Health (DOH)

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

Department of Indian Affairs (DIA)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 345 appropriates $250,000 from the general fund to CYFD for expenditures in FY 06

to expand an existing behavioral health services program based in Gallup. The bill provides for a

team-building, problem-solving skills program in Gallup that works to combat substance abuse

and mental health problems of Native American youth.

Significant Issues

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the American Indian/Alaska Native population of Gallup

comprises over 36% of the city’s total population. McKinley County, in which Gallup is located,

is almost 75% American Indian/Alaska Native. Intervention programs for Native American

youth focusing on improving mental health are needed in tribal communities and rural areas. HB

345 appropriates funds to “train the trainer” on team-building and problem-solving skills, how-

ever, it does not cover the costs to implement the programs for Native American youth.

House Bill 345 -- Page 2

The Judiciary administers 28 drug court programs around the state, providing judicial monitoring

of substance-abuse treatment programs. Drug court programs involve team-building and prob-

lem-solving skills, and those coupled with effective treatment and judicial oversight have proven

highly effective in reducing offenders’ recidivism. There is one drug court in Gallup. It focuses

on DWI offenders and is funded through the liquor excise tax. Its population is mostly Native

American and it is often at capacity. Additional treatment programs are needed in the area, as the

well-publicized problems with alcohol in the area are now joined by a disturbing growth in the

use of methamphetamine

.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $250,000 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the gen-

eral fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 shall revert

to the general fund.

The appropriation is not part of the CYFD request or the Executive recommendation.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

CYFD would absorb the administrative impact associated with implementing the bill

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The sponsor may consider defining the specific curriculum to be utilized for team-building and

problem-solving skills programs to ensure the legislation intent of the bill is met.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

HB 345 is directing that the appropriation be made to the Department Children, Youth and

Families. The DIA indicates that efforts are being made in the Executive Branch to coordinate

all substance abuse, mental health and other such service funds through a statewide entity begin-

ning March 2005. This effort is referred to as the Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative.

Therefore, DIA recommends that the funds go through the Collaborative as they are better

equipped to administer, monitor, and provide technical assistance and to establish and oversee

appropriate policies for substance abuse services.

HB 345 proposes to expand existing services to Native American youth in Gallup, which is lo-

cated in McKinley County. The Prevention Services Bureau in DOH, Behavioral Health Ser-

vices Division has an existing program for youth in McKinley County, which address substance

abuse and related mental health problems. The National Indian Youth Leadership Project is a

youth development program in McKinley aimed at decreasing substance use and abuse by pro-

viding tools to improve children’s self-esteem.

The incidence of substance abuse and related mental health problems is highest among the Na-

tive American population of Northwest New Mexico (DOH, Office of Epidemiology 2003).

McKinley County has the second highest combined alcohol and drug related death rate, as well

as the highest alcohol related death rate in New Mexico (NM DOH Social Indicator Report

2003).

House Bill 345 -- Page 3

HB 345 provides a positive alternative for Native American youth by focusing on building self-

esteem and team work. DIA believes that this may be a viable approach to keeping Native

American students from abusing alcohol and other harmful substances. This approach should

also consider integrating cultural, linguistic, and tribal community resources to promote Native

American youth development. Early intervention, mentoring, leadership skills, and self-esteem

building are goals of such culturally relevant programs and services.

ALTERNATIVES

The sponsor may consider the enhancement of the existing evidence-based prevention program

in Gallup with the collaboration of the DOH/Prevention Services Bureau.

BD/yr