78R9502 MTD-D

By:  Hinojosa                                                   S.C.R. No. 36 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Substance abuse places an enormous burden on Texans, 
as individuals, as families, as communities, and as taxpayers, and 
according to the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the 
total impact of substance abuse in Texas cost the state's economy an 
estimated $25.9 billion in 2000; and
	WHEREAS, Lost productivity accounted for 43 percent of the 
cost, the direct and indirect cost of crime accounted for almost 30 
percent, and premature death was identified as accounting for more 
than 18 percent of the cost; and
	WHEREAS, Alcohol and drug abuse problems are intertwined with 
virtually every other public health, social, and economic problem 
and cannot be addressed in isolation; the governor of Texas has 
declared that the state "must combine strong law enforcement with 
proven prevention programs and effective treatment to keep our 
communities safe from the destruction caused by drug abuse"; and
	WHEREAS, In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature established the 
Drug Demand Reduction Advisory Committee to act as a single source 
of information about issues related to reducing drug demand, to 
develop and coordinate a statewide strategy, and to report the 
committee's findings and recommendations to the governor and the 
legislature; and
	WHEREAS,  Its report to the leadership, Toward a Drug-free 
Texas: A Coordinated Demand Reduction Strategy, provides a viable 
plan for integrating prevention, treatment, and enforcement 
activities to provide maximum results through a cost-effective 
approach; and
	WHEREAS, The report sets a 10-year target of reducing the 
illegal use of drugs by both adolescents and adults by 25 percent 
and establishes a two-year plan outlining how the committee and its 
member agencies will implement its nine-point strategy of building 
partnerships, investing for results, strengthening the legal 
framework and social environment, expanding and strengthening 
community coalitions,  intervening early to prevent and treat 
substance abuse, matching people to appropriate and effective 
services, breaking the cycle of addiction and crime, developing a 
strong workforce, and confronting discrimination; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby express its support for the Drug Demand Reduction Advisory 
Committee's strategy to reduce illegal drug demand in Texas; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby commend the 
committee for the successful completion of the first phase of its 
work, including execution of a memorandum of understanding 
committing all state agency members to implementation of the 
strategy, and applaud all federal, state, and local government 
personnel working to combat illegal drug use in Texas, as well as 
community leaders who seek to make a difference across the state; 
and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby encourage state 
officials to work together to support the implementation of the 
strategy and continue to seek ways to improve coordination among 
federal, state, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, 
corporations, and private citizens to reduce the demand for drugs 
in Texas; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby call on the 
committee to continue to seek federal, state, and local involvement 
in the implementation of its strategy and ask parents to join in the 
effort to prevent, reduce, and reject illegal drug use in Texas by 
talking to their children about the dangers and consequences of 
illegal use of alcohol and other drugs and encouraging other 
responsible adults to do the same in their families and 
communities; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the Drug Demand Reduction Advisory Committee as an 
expression of support from the House of Representatives and Senate 
of the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas.