Bill Text: CA AR64 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Resolution 64 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relative to Recovery Awareness Month.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-09-06 - Introduced. [AR64 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AR64-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

House Resolution

No. 64

Introduced by Assembly Member Maienschein

September 06, 2017

Relative to Recovery Awareness Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

HR 64, as introduced, Maienschein.

WHEREAS, Chronic substance use disorders are a serious public health threat in California, and are associated with mental and physical health conditions, lower educational attainment, underemployment or unemployment, involvement with the criminal justice system, victimization and perpetration of violence, and homelessness; and

WHEREAS, Based on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates, 12 percent of adult Medicaid beneficiaries and 850,313 Californians with Medi-Cal coverage are affected by substance use disorder, and approximately 29 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries either have a mental illness or a substance use disorder, or both. Moreover, substance use disorder services represented 10 percent of Medi-Cal behavioral health spending from 2007 to 2009, inclusive, and $388 million in 2009; and

WHEREAS, From 2011 to 2014, inclusive, there was a 44-percent increase in opioid-related visits and a 97-percent increase in heroin-related visits to emergency departments in this state. In 2015, California had more opioid-related deaths recorded than any other state in the nation, 3,935 opioid overdose-related emergency department visits, and 4,095 opioid overdose-related hospitalizations. In 2015, more than 3,630 infants were born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, which is characterized by symptoms similar to drug withdrawal, including sweating, fever, restlessness, poor appetite, vomiting, and tremors. In 2016, there were 1,925 deaths from opioid overdoses in this state; and

WHEREAS, Substance use disorders do not discriminate based on color, age, or economic status and damage communities across the state; and

WHEREAS, According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, medication-assisted treatment includes the use of medication along with counseling and other support and is often the best choice for opioid addiction; and

WHEREAS, There is a statewide need for increased education regarding substance use disorder and treatment, for increased access to substance use treatment, for an expanded network of providers that are able to provide all United States Food and Drug Administration-approved medication-assisted treatments, and for increased attention to reducing the stigma of substance use disorders; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly recognizes National Recovery Month in California during the month of September 2017, affirms the continued need for California to provide access to substance use education, treatment, and research resources, and honors the significant achievements of Californians who are in recovery from substance use disorders; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.