House Bill 695 appropriates an additional $2,145,400 to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Program for fiscal year 2008 with carryover authority in FY2009. It also appropriates an additional $12,932,000 to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Program for fiscal year 2009.

The total statewide community based treatment includes $16,706,000 out of the General Fund, $3,882,400.00 from the Dedicated Fund and $5,892,800 out of the Federal Funds, totaling $26,481,200 for substance abuse treatment. This fund allows for 1,240 drug court openings, 1,176 adolescents and 7,306 adults in the total for statewide community treatment.

There has been great anxiety, criticism and lack of understanding regarding the funding to provide substance abuse treatment. The discussion in all three branches of government intensified over the last ten days. Although difficult, the government process works and allows for proper scrutiny and re-justification of the facts that were included in the budget request submitted through the Interagency Committee for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.

Included in this short update are letters from the Governor and I representing my chairmanship on the Interagency Committee. Please feel free to email me any concerns you may have regarding the compromise legislation. This has been a large group effort and represents confidence in the people who have negotiated this unprecedented effort.

Thank you once again for your time, talent and personal treasure you have devoted to this process.

The Honorable Maxine Bell The Honorable Dean Cameron Co -Chairs Joint Finance -Appropriations Committee Idaho Legislature Legislative Annex Boise, ID 83720

I applaud the ICSA’s work toward finding a solution that continues its groundbreaking progress on substance abuse treatment throughout the state while recognizing the long -term nature of our commitment to this issue. It is my hope that the Legislature will similarly recognize the value of compromise toward achieving our shared goals.

Cc: The Honorable Robert Geddes The Honorable Lawerence Denney The Honorable Clint Stennett The Honorable Wendy Jacquet

As Chair of the Interagency Committee on Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention (ICSA), I represent the membership in the desire to continue working together toward real progress on treatment of the substance use disorders that plague our citizens and burdens our taxpayers. To that end, and with the fiscal realities posed by our current economic challenges in mind, we fully support the compromise providing 90 percent of the funds requested.

With partners representing all three branches of government, as well as local governments and private business, Idaho traveled at lightening speed during the last calendar year in bringing about systemic change in the delivery of substance abuse services.

This new collaborative process has not been without challenges. Holding agencies accountable while expecting efficiencies and outcomes for measurement has been revealing and rewarding. Governor Otter asked me to bring the experts to the table to help define a better destiny for those who struggle with addiction. We commend the judges, substance abuse counselors, probation officers, agency directors, crisis hotline call personnel, and those in recovery in every corner of our state who have contributed to the collaborative effort.

Agency directors, private providers, policy makers, local governments and community leaders asked tough questions during monthly meetings regarding current procedures and protocols. People inside the state and outside the state began embracing this new way of doing business. We followed the intent of the law set up for the new Interagency Committee on Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention (ICSA). The committee painstakingly developed a five -year strategic plan with goals and timelines for completion. We have fundamentally changed the dynamic of this issue.

However, it also is important to recognize that such dramatic and comprehensive change has to allow for the education of stakeholders. It should not be surprising that different perspectives within the legislature and within the administration about the treatment system’s immediate and longer-term needs and capabilities have been debated. As ambitious as the goals have been, a complete overhaul should not have been expected to

occur in a single year. Idaho -based data and proven results within our own system must be the benchmark for progress and expansion. However, we join the Governor and the Legislature in a strong determination to move forward.

Having developed this 90 -percent compromise at the Governor’s direction, we on the Interagency Committee on Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention unanimously support its acceptance by the Legislature.

Debb ie Field

Debbie Field, Director Idaho Office of Drug Policy

Cc: The Honorable Robert Geddes The Honorable Clint Stennett The Honorable Lawerence Denney The Honorable Wendy Jaquet