My good friend former Senator/Representative Jay Bradford, who is the head of the Department of Human Service's Division of Behavioral Health Services, hosted a meeting today at Henderson State University for legislators (Representative Johnnie Roebuck and Bruce Malloch were in attendance) and interested parties to discuss the need for additional funding for mental health care - specifically for alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs. If an additional $5 million in funding can be found the state can access roughly $15 million in matching federal funds.
Evidence based prevention programs have a proven track record of results and I am convinced that every dollar spent on prevention saves the state a lot of money down the road in avoided or reduced spending on health care, correctional facilities and other issues. Money will be very tight this year but I hope that we can find the additional funding.
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