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

SPONSOR Vigil

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

01/27/08

HB 358

SHORT TITLE Youth Substance Abuse & Suicide Prevention

SB

ANALYST Weber

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY08

FY09

$100.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Human Services Department (HSD)

Department of Health (DOH)

Public Education Department (PED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 358 appropriates $100 thousand from the general fund to Human Service Department

to contract with a youth commission based in Las Vegas, New Mexico, for youth programs

focused on substance abuse and suicide prevention that involve training youth in government so

that they can train their peers in other communities.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $100 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general

fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY09 shall revert to

the general fund.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

HSD and the Department of Health collaborated on the following information.

New Mexico has the highest rate of drug related deaths in the nation. In 2005, 42.3% of

youth (9

th

-12

th

grade) had a drink within the past 30 days and 28.6% reported binge

House Bill 358 – Page

2

drinking. Youth who start drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to develop

alcohol dependency or abuse later in life (New Mexico Youth Risk & Resiliency Survey,

2005). Alcohol misuse is associated with psychiatric problems such as depression,

anxiety, and antisocial personality disorder. New Mexico prevalence of attempted

suicide was the third highest among the states participating in the Youth Risk Behavior

Surveillance System, and was 1.5 times the national rate of 8.3%. In New Mexico,

28.7% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness

and 20.5% had made a suicide plan.

Youth leadership and development opportunities are an effective way to prevent negative

health and social outcomes among youth. Young people who take active roles in

organizations and communities have fewer problems, are better skilled, and tend to be

life long contributing citizens (Preventing Problems, Promoting Development,

Encouraging Engagement, The Forum for Youth Investment, 2003).

The Public Education Department adds.

o

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is the primary resource for

identifying prevention and intervention programs in the areas of youth substance abuse and

suicide prevention. It reports that an effective program must be backed by scientific

research and have documented positive outcomes (Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration, 2008).

o

Current research does not indicate that “training youth in government" is an effective

means of drug abuse and suicide prevention. There are no programs listed in the Substance

Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration database that include a governmental

training piece. Most effective methods of prevention curriculum include frequent, if not

daily, communication with students (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration, 2008).

o

If any education or prevention activities will be taking place during school hours, the New

Mexico Health Education Standards will need to be utilized. Even if the activities are not

taking place during school hours, the Health Standards are a strong resource in how to

deliver the content to various ages of students. Here are the basic health standards:

o

Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease

prevention.

o

Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid health information and health-

promoting products and services.

o

Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and

reduce health risks.

o

Students will analyze the influence of culture, media, technology and other factors on

health.

o

Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to

enhance health.

o

Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting and decision-making skills to

enhance health.

o

Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, peer and

community health. (New Mexico Public Education Department)

MW/bb