SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance Abuse poses a significant public health threat to the residents of Travis County. The impact of substance abuse affects various social and health problems, including: employment, crime, poverty, family preservation, and chronic and communicable diseases. The coordinated delivery of substance abuse prevention/intervention and treatment services and the utilization of best practice approaches have proven to be cost-effective in reducing the impact of substance abuse on communities.
Specifically, the National Institute for Drug Abuse indicates that for every dollar spent on drug use prevention, communities can save 4 to 5 dollars in costs for drug abuse treatment and counseling. Similarly, drug treatment reduces drug use by 40 to 60 percent and significantly decreases criminal activity during and after treatment.
The Substance Abuse Planning Partnership created the attached matrix, which outlines overall strategies for addressing the following issues:
INCREASE TREATMENT CAPACITY TO MEET UNMET NEEDS
Travis County has experienced a reduction in treatment capacity resulting from the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) and TDCJ-CJAD TAIP funding reductions. Accordingly, the current capacity to treat those who need and want treatment is inadequate to meet the demand for services. Current service capacity will need to be maintained, and in some cases, increased to impact the health and social problems attributed to substance abuse. The treatment needs of special populations are especially challenging and complex. Special populations such as dually diagnosed, elderly, HIV+, homeless, offenders, pregnant/parenting women, and youth are especially vulnerable to the consequences of substance abuse. Lengthy waiting times for treatment slots can result in increased harm and reduced motivation for treatment.
IMPLEMENT IINTERVENTION AND CRISIS STABILIZATION STRATEGIES
Crisis stabilization can provide a cost-effective strategy for addressing the health needs of persons who are publicly intoxicated or under the influence of substances. Currently, city departments such as police and fire are using limited resources to respond to, transport, and arrest public intoxicants. Planning efforts are currently underway to identify the feasibility of implementing a Sobriety Center. A Sobriety Center will provide a safe environment for persons under the influence of substances to become sober and access substance abuse treatment and ancillary services. In addition, a Sobriety Center can successfully divert costs from other governmental departments, while more effectively meeting the needs of substance abusers.
Brief interventions have been identified as an effective strategy for reducing substance use and ultimately reducing harm and can be incorporated into primary care settings or social service settings to encourage patients to stop or reduce drug use. For those waiting for treatment availability, interventions can provide an effective prelude to substance abuse treatment.
IMPLEMENT A COORDINATED PREVENTION PLAN
Travis County has experienced a reduction in prevention services as the result of decreased TCADA funding in Travis County. In addition, there is no coordinated plan for the delivery of prevention services. While various community-based organizations are delivering prevention services to youth and young adults, the absence of a collaborative strategic plan has resulted in a fragmented service delivery system. This fragmentation may be preventing those at highest risk from receiving the appropriate services.
INVEST IN AND IMPLEMENT BEST PRACTICES
The identification of "best practices" has provided the substance abuse field with rigorously evaluated and scientifically supported guidelines and methodologies for improving cost effectiveness and program quality. Best practice implementation results in improved client outcomes and efficient use of limited funding resources. Developing funding criteria based upon best practices can enhance the extent of best practice implementation. Currently, there is a lack of information identifying the extent of provider best practice knowledge or implementation. In addition, funding criteria has not systematically addressed the need to purchase and invest in best practices.
THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PLANNING PROCESS
A Substance Abuse Needs Assessment was completed in April 2, 2001. In order to identify current conditions and needs, the Substance Abuse Planning Partnership, representing a broad array of interested parties/stakeholders of substance abuse prevention/intervention and treatment services in Travis County, met to identify and prioritize the urgent substance abuse issues.
THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE MATRIX
The attached matrix represents the urgent issues, solutions and actions recommended to effectively address the issue of substance abuse. Where possible, human and financial investment opportunities and existing resources have been identified to assist in attaining the desired results. The solutions and actions identified in the matrix are designed to provide a blueprint for substance abuse services planning.
The Substance Abuse Planning Partnership is the contact for this document. The committee may be contacted through Randy Consford, Austin Travis County MHMR, at (512) 445-7775 or e-mail: .
2001 Urgent Issues Action Plan Home Page
