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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 510

	WHEREAS, Substance abuse is a major problem in our society, 
as the number of Americans abusing drugs is alarming; and

	WHEREAS, The staggering costs of alcohol, tobacco, and 
other drug abuse in terms of human suffering and monetary loss 
affects all of us, and only through a concerted effort by 
parents, schools, private institutions, and governmental bodies 
can the growing number of alcohol and drug abusers be reversed; 
and

	WHEREAS, In 2000, the total economic cost associated with 
alcohol and drug abuse in Texas was estimated at $25.9 billion; 
the 2003 total economic cost associated with tobacco use was 
$5.833 billion, including $1.265 billion in Medicaid costs, 
$4.552 billion in overall health-care costs, and $9.89 million
in costs due to fires; and

	WHEREAS, It has been reported that 71 percent of Texas 
students in grades 7 through 12 use alcohol, and that 26 percent 
of the students who drink are considered binge drinkers; 16 percent
of Texas middle school students and 33 percent of Texas high 
school students are regular smokers, and 21 percent of those 
students began smoking prior to the age of 13; and

	WHEREAS, The use of alcohol and drugs can lead to deadly 
diseases; their use has been closely linked to the occurrence of 
sexually transmitted diseases, as well as to unwanted pregnancies,
fetal deaths, birth defects, and mental disorders; and

	WHEREAS, In 2000, more than 13,500 Texans died from alcohol 
and drug abuse, and 46 percent of them were younger than 25; 
480,000 Texas youths who are smokers will die prematurely from 
smoking-related problems; and

	WHEREAS, National data indicates parental substance abuse 
contributes to seven out of 10 cases of child abuse and neglect 
and three-quarters of all foster care placements; and

	WHEREAS, People with substance abuse problems crowd our 
jails and prisons; crime related to substance abuse cost Texas
$4 billion in 2000 and accounted for about 48 percent of the total 
expenditures in the state's criminal justice system; and

	WHEREAS, In recent years, while alcohol advertising and 
efforts to legalize drug use have become more pronounced, funding 
for prevention programs has been substantially reduced; and

	WHEREAS, Prevention programs have been shown to be the 
least expensive and most effective approach in dealing with these 
critical social problems; and 

	WHEREAS, A renewed commitment by all Texans is necessary to 
reverse the ever-increasing use of addictive drugs among our


citizens, and the use of successful prevention programs should be 
encouraged and supported; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby recognize March 31, 2005, as Substance 
Abuse Prevention Day in an effort to encourage our citizens to 
continue their efforts to eradicate the abuse of drugs in our 
society.
                                                                          Nelson




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on March 31, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate