Substance Abuse

substance abuse

In response to the reality that one in four kids under the age of 18 lives in a family with a parent who abuses illicit drugs or drinks too much in the United States, what type of legislation can be created that would improve substance abuse services for children and guarantee services to families where one of both of the parents are substance abusers?

POLICY UNDER ANALYSIS:

The Federal government enacted legislation that authorizes $50 million for the Secretary of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) to formulate grants to provide services to children of substance abusers and services to the substance abusing parents. ... Section 3106 named Services for Children of Substance Abusers is the legislation created to address the needs of children and adolescents whose parental figures abused substances (www. ... Issues Dealt with by the Policy:

Children of substance abusers face many problems including inconsistent emotional support and discipline, parental abuse and neglect, school failure, and increased risk for substance abuse. ... Services for Children of Substance Abusers addresses the need to ensure that children of substance abusers have periodic evaluations, primary pediatric case, health and mental health services, therapeutic interventions, perventive counseling, and other developmental services available to them. ...

Services for Children of Substance Abusers mandates the allotment of services to families where one or both of the parents are substance abusers. ... Stated Objectives:

The stated objective of Services for Children and Substance Abusers is to improve mental health and substance abuse services for children and adolescents by implementing the use of block grant funds with accountability based on performance, and to consolidate discretionary grant authorities to give the Secretary more flexibility to respond to the needs of those who need mental health and substance abuse services. ... Unstated Objectives:

This policy was enacted to improve mental health and substance abuse services to children of substance abusers, however there are two unstated objective of reducing government expenditures and enhancing the well-being of the general population. Government has been keenly aware of the astronomical expenditures in health care due to substance abuse related ailments or accidents. ... Children of substance abusers are admitted to hospitals more often and have longer lengths of stay. ... Parental neglect and abuse contribute to higher medical costs. Substance abuse is a leading cause of child maltreatment according to child welfare professional. ... Values of the Legislation:

The Services for Children of Substance Abusers policy highly regards children and families. ... Various reports display the monitary cost