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A JOINT MEMORIAL

ENCOURAGING BERNALILLO COUNTY TO INITIATE A TRANSITIONAL

HOUSING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN RECOVERING FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND

REQUESTING STATE AGENCIES TO BECOME PARTNERS IN THE PROJECT

WITH THE COUNTY.

WHEREAS, providing the clients of substance abuse

treatment programs with gender-specific treatments has

resulted in longer and more successful treatments; and

WHEREAS, the tendency of women to leave treatment

earlier than men has been attributed to the inability of

treatment programs to meet their complex medical, social and

emotional needs; and

WHEREAS, effective substance abuse treatment for women

helps halt a downward spiral that, if left unchecked, may

result in increased criminal activity; and

WHEREAS, such programs are fundamental to public safety,

preventing crime and protecting potential victims of crime;

and

WHEREAS, substance abuse treatment programs for women

with children that address women's unique needs, including

their relationships with their partners, families and

children and any history of physical and sexual abuse, are

more effective than traditional programs and have the

additional benefit of assisting the children of those women;

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and

WHEREAS, there is no gender-specific long-term

transitional housing program for women and their children

that serves the state of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the unique substance abuse treatment needs of

women include child care services, women-only treatment and

prenatal care; and

WHEREAS, limited access to child care services is one of

the most frequently cited barriers to treatment of women

seeking treatment, and programs that allow women to bring

their children into residential treatment experience greater

lengths of stay; and

WHEREAS, the children of addicted parents have the

highest risk of abusing alcohol and drugs due to both genetic

and environmental factors; and

WHEREAS, a strong correlation has been documented

between parental addiction and child abuse and neglect; and

WHEREAS, the children of addicted parents are at higher

risk for being abandoned at birth, being placed in foster

care, running away from home and becoming homeless; and

WHEREAS, the children of addicted parents experience

physical and mental health problems at a greater rate than

children of non-addicted parents;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Bernalillo county be encouraged to

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develop a transitional housing and substance abuse treatment

program for women with children that will address their

unique needs and create a positive living environment during

the rehabilitation process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the children, youth and

families department, the human services department and the

department of health consider joining Bernalillo county in

the identification of sources for funding for and the

development and ultimate implementation of such a program;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the county manager of Bernalillo county and to

the secretaries of children, youth and families; human

services; and health.