* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Young
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc.
FOR the purpose of requesting the Interim President and CEO of Baltimore Substance Abuse Treatment Systems, Inc. (BSAS) to report to the City Council on the administration of the City's substance abuse treatment system; the criteria applied to determine recommendations for funding of treatment and prevention programs; and the process involved in rescinding funding from participating service providers.
body
Recitals
The mission of BSAS is to prevent and reduce substance abuse and its adverse health and social consequences in Baltimore City, by insuring that residents have access to high quality and comprehensive services proven to reduce substance abuse. With an annual budget of approximately $29 million, BSAS is the designated agent of the Baltimore City Health Department to administer the City's alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention services, which are provided by all grant-funded programs.
The publicly funded treatment system, which consists of 40 treatment programs, has the capacity to serve 7,400 persons at any given time and 23,000 persons annually. Inpatient treatment services include detoxification, intermediate 28-day residential care, 4-6 month long-term care for adults and women with children, and halfway/transitional living and jail based treatment. Outpatient services include detoxification, medication assisted detoxification and maintenance, and intensive and standard outpatient counseling for adults and youth.
The number of drug addicts in Baltimore is usually estimated to be between 50,000 and 60,000 or as generally decried by the media - nearly one out of every 10 residents is addicted to drugs. The Prevention Program Activity Report: Fiscal Year 2008, Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, shows that the total number of individuals receiving prevention services in Baltimore City was 47,025 in fiscal year 2008.
The Financial Statements and Independent Public Accountants' Report: Years Ended June 30,2008 and 2007 shows that BSAS received $56,815,040 and $52,946,175, respectively, in federal, city, state and private funding. Despite this considerable contribution of taxpayers' dollars, the number of addicts appears to have remained constant for decades. The public has a right to know:
· are these people being treated appropriately?
· how are providers selected to offer treatment services?
· how are decisions made to discontinue contracts with selected service providers? and
· are service providers achieving positive outcomes with a fiscally responsible outlay of resources?
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Interim President and CEO of Baltimore Substance Abuse Treatment Systems, Inc. (BSAS) is requested to report to the City Council on the administration of the City's substance abuse treatment system; the criteria applied to determine recommendations for funding of treatment and prevention programs; and the process involved in rescinding funding from participating service providers.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Interim President and CEO of Baltimore Substance Abuse Treatment Systems, Inc., the Acting Commissioner, Baltimore City Health Department, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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