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Vance Introduces Legislation to Stabilize Drug and Alcohol
Funding
for Treatment, Prevention
HARRISBURG -- Funding
for drug and alcohol treatment and prevention programs would have a dedicated
and stable funding stream under legislation recently introduced by Sen. Patricia
Vance (R-Cumberland/York).
“One in four families is
affected by drug and alcohol abuse and addiction,” Vance said. “It is vital
that funding for treatment programs and prevention not be cut. With the
majority of funding spread out within four different state agencies it is
difficult to ensure all monies stays in the budget each year. In fact, two
years ago the initial budget slashed funding for these programs before it
ultimately was restored.”
Senate Bill 727 would create
the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Prevention Fund that dedicates a portion of
the revenue from the existing liquor tax to five separate line items for drug
and alcohol treatment and prevention programs. In future years, about 75
percent of any growth in the revenue generated by this tax would be distributed
proportionately among these five line items.
“It only makes sense that as
the Commonwealth markets alcohol more aggressively through Sunday sales,
variable pricing and supermarket locations that the funding increases for
treatment and prevention too,” Vance added.
The bill was referred to the
Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.
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