ENZI CALLS FOR MORE STREAMLINED, FLEXIBLE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-WY, Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP Committee), today said that Congress needs to strengthen the nation’s substance abuse and mental health care delivery system by making it more streamlined and giving local communities the flexibility to meet their unique needs. “Today’s system of services for mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness is fragmented and disconnected. This is due, in large part, to the many reforms and policy changes imposed upon the agency over the years,” Enzi said. “States and local communities, who are on the front lines, can provide the best approach to the prevention and treatment of mental health, substance abuse and homelessness. This strategy will assist in ensuring scarce dollars are focused where the greatest need exists.” “The solutions for treating and preventing mental health issues, substance abuse, and homelessness lie within the states, communities, and individuals who see first hand, everyday, the destruction and challenges these issues can cause.” Enzi made his comments at a HELP Committee hearing titled “Transforming Mental Health and Substance Abuse Systems of Care: Community Integration and Recovery.” The hearing marks the beginning of the legislative process to reauthorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration (SAMHSA).“The issues we face in the reauthorization of SAMHSA are among the most important issues Congress can address, that is, the health and well-being of our citizens,” Enzi said. “We have made great strides in recognizing that mental health and substance abuse are illnesses that, like physical illnesses, are treatable, especially when the course of treatment begins as early as possible. “I look forward to using the reauthorization process to assess SAMHSA’s operations and making any necessary changes to ensure that it is operating at optimum levels.” Enzi said that Congress must address the growing epidemic of methamphetamine use in the United States. Statistics show that approximately 5 percent of the U.S. population is addicted to methamphetamine, and Wyoming is among the top third of states with persons 12 or older using the drug. “Of Wyoming students that have used methamphetamine, more than 45 percent reported seriously considering suicide and nearly one in three actually attempted suicide,” Enzi said. “Methamphetamine use, in particular, played a large role in rising rates in crime, domestic violence, and poor health in Wyoming. Rural communities and Native Americans have been especially hard hit by methamphetamine.” “Wyoming has taken steps to reduce and hopefully eliminate the use of methamphetamine. Already, methamphetamine use in Wyoming high schools has decreased by 27 percent between 2003 and 2005. People in Wyoming are getting treatment for methamphetamine addiction at higher rates than before. Eradication of this epidemic is in our grasp and I hope to explore SAMHSA’s role in this critical effort.” ####