‘Te MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21401-1991
House Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse
December 11,2013,
‘The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, J, Co-Chairman
‘The Honorable Michael E. Busch, Co-Chairman
Members of the Legislative Policy Committee
Ladies and Gentlemen:
| am pleased to report on the activites of the House Special Committee on Drug and Aleshol
‘Abuse during the 2013 interim, The special committee had one meeting which was held on
December 4, 2013,
‘The Department of Heath and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) provided the committee with an
overview of the behavioral health integration process. The committee was briefed by
Dr. Gayle M.lordan-Randoiph, MD.. Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health and Disabilities, and
Me, Charles J. Milligan, Jr, Deputy Sectetary for Health Care Financing, on the background of the
integration process as weil as the key features of integration, including the increased focus on public
health, prevention and early intervention, and the reduction of health disparities. The committee
eared of the department's emphasis on data collection and analysis, which is crucial to delivering
‘more effective outcomes, such es reduction in the number of emergency room visits. DHMH
reviewed the basics of the current public mental heath and substance use disorder systems and
explained how they will function ones behavioral health integration is complete, Regulatory changes
that wil be need to fully implement integration were also reviewed.
DHMH also briefed the committee on some of its overall strategies to address substance
abuse, The committee eared of the efforts to reduce overdoses, such as requiring local health
‘departments to submit overdose prevention plans to the department. ‘While the specific strategies the
lca jurisdictions elect to use diffe, each of the plans is required to include certain components,
including the education of the clinical community and outreach to high-risk individuals and
‘communities. Other efforts by DHMH to address overdose prevention include implementation ofthe
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and the Controlled Dangerous Substance Integration Unit,
‘which shares and analyzes information relating to the prescribing, dispensing, and use of contlled
substances, DHMH reviewed the State's efforts to reduce college drinking, including collaborating
‘with schools to make sure they are able o effectively recognize students with potential substance use
problems and connect them to the appropriate services. Statistics relating to problem solving courts
‘were also shared with the committee. For example, the committee learned that in fiscal 2013,
1,191 unique individuals entered drug court programs and 627 of those individuals graduated
Dr. Jordan-Randolph stressed that this outcome was not surprising and reiterated that because
substance use ean be a chronic medieal condition, it isnot uncommon for individuals to start and‘The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, J, Co-Chairman
‘The Honorable Michael E. Busch, Co-Chaitman
“Members of the Legislative Policy Committee
December 11, 2013
Page 2
restart treatment programs several times. She noted the many factors influencing recovery, including
finances, family support, and prior history of eriminal activity and substance use.
“The committee also heard on a variety of issues from a panel of presenters organized by the
Maryland Addictions Directors Couneil. The importance of preserving adequate funding for
treatment was sessed, with a particular emphasis on the need for more affordable residential
treatment. Ms. Gale Saler from Gaudenza, Inc, riterated the importance of integration and noted
that in its facilis, the majority of residents are not therefor isolated afflictions but have mental
health, substance use, and somatic health needs. The committee also leamed of issues with the
shortage of behevioral health workers. Specifically as many ffom the eurent workforce rete from
practic, there are cancers that bares to prctce, such asthe high cost of education and inequities
in fees, ate preventing new individuals from joining the field. With the Affordable Care Act
facilitating broader access to insurance, itis erucial that there be enough providers to serve all
individuals who seek treatment. The committe learned of proposals to encourage more individuals
to enter the field of behavioral health, including allowing professional counselors to be eligible for
schoo! loan forgiveness or assistance with loan repayments,
“The committee also heard fiom representatives from the National Council on Alcoholism and
Drug Dependence on concerns relating to criminal justice and substance use disorders. The
dlficulties in being released from incarceration and having to find employment, housing health care,
fc, were highlighted by an individual who had just experienced these challenges on being released
fiom incarceration afer serving a sentence relating to his substance use disorder. The representative
noted the importance of aflereare in the effort to successfully transition formerly incarerated
individuals back into communities. With a high percentage of incarcerated individuals needing
substance abuse services, the committee agrees that its imperative for DHMH to continue its efforts
to have eligibility workers in the institutions to help individuals obtain or keep health insurance. The
‘committee was pleased to Tear tat the State is considered a national leader in these endeavors.
Finally, we want to express our appreciation for the adviee and assistance of all the
individuals who participated inthe committee's activities this year.
Respectfully submitted,
By Woldibuich. (Us)
Jethey’D, whestcicher
Chair
JDWAKB\km
ce: Members, House Sepcial Committee on Substance Abuse
Mr. Karl §, Aro
Mr, Warren G. Deschenaux
Ms, Lynne S, PorterMaryland General Assembly
House Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse
2013 Interim
Membership Roster
Delegate Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher, Chair
Members
Curtis 8. (Curt) Anderson
Benjamin S. Bames
Emmett C. Bums, J.
Kathleen M. Dumais
Adelaide C., Eckardt
Committee Staff
Jennifer K. Bots
Efe C. Rife