Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 22–
Assemblymen Leslie and Anderson

 

April 13, 2001

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Referred to Committee on Elections, Procedures, and Ethics

 

SUMMARY—Directs Legislative Commission to conduct interim study relating to co‑occurring disorders. (BDR R‑1167)

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

Assembly Concurrent RESOLUTION—Directing the Legislative Commission to conduct an interim study relating to co‑occurring disorders.

 

1-1    Whereas, Recent studies estimate that in any given year, up to 10

1-2  million people in this country suffer with co‑occurring disorders, a

1-3  condition that consists of a combination of a mental disorder and alcohol or

1-4  drug abuse; and

1-5    Whereas, Persons with co‑occurring disorders tend to be more

1-6  symptomatic and have multiple health and social problems that require

1-7  more comprehensive, costly care because of the multifaceted aspect of the

1-8  diagnosis and treatment process; and

1-9    Whereas, Instead of encountering one inclusive treatment center, the

1-10  treatment for co‑occurring disorders often entails a process wherein

1-11  patients must experience the inconvenience and frustration of enduring

1-12  several different health care systems, including mental health centers,

1-13  separate services for treatment of their addiction and treatment by primary

1-14  health care providers; and

1-15    Whereas, Because of the special problems in receiving comprehensive

1-16  and coordinated treatment, many persons with co‑occurring disorders

1-17  attempt to function with no treatment at all, then cycle in and out of costly

1-18  and often inappropriate treatment settings, end up in jail or prison where

1-19  they may receive treatment that is inappropriate or even become homeless;

1-20  and

1-21    Whereas, In spite of continuing efforts that have achieved some

1-22  success in addressing this problem in Nevada, serious barriers still remain,

1-23  such as the lack of understanding relating to the disciplines, protocols and

1-24  restrictions of each health care system, historical perceptions of “lack of

1-25  cooperation” among the systems and the limited resources available for

1-26  cooperative treatment efforts; and

1-27    Whereas, Given the immense human and economic toll that

1-28  co‑occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders exact, experts

2-1  agree that those who suffer from this condition create a high-priority

2-2  population for whom a comprehensive and coordinated system of care

2-3  must be an expectation and not the exception; and

2-4    Whereas, The development of a program of care for those who suffer

2-5  with co‑occurring disorders must address such areas as:

2-6    1.  The achievement of consensus on common values and principles

2-7  regarding the need for and value of treatment systems that work together to

2-8  create a program for diagnosis and treatment centered on the client;

2-9    2.  The adoption of models for such a program, the creation of

2-10  configurations for provision of services and the development of a common

2-11  tool for assessment;

2-12    3.  The development of methods to measure performance-based

2-13  outcome and examine societal costs;

2-14    4.  The establishment of criteria for the evaluation of a program within

2-15  the design for the program, the creation of informational systems to record

2-16  relevant data and the formation of procedures for immediate provision of

2-17  feedback relating to the evaluation of a program; and

2-18    5.  The alignment of financial incentives with expected outcomes to

2-19  achieve goals, the reduction or elimination of statutory barriers and the

2-20  combining of funding at the local level; now, therefore, be it

2-21    Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

2-22  Concurring, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to

2-23  appoint an interim committee to conduct an interim study to facilitate the

2-24  development of a comprehensive and coordinated program of care in this

2-25  state for the diagnosis and treatment of persons with co‑occurring

2-26  disorders; and be it further

2-27    Resolved, That any recommended legislation proposed by the

2-28  committee must be approved by a majority of the members of the Senate

2-29  and a majority of the members of the Assembly appointed to the

2-30  committee; and be it further

2-31    Resolved, That the Legislative Commission shall submit a report of its

2-32  findings and any recommendations for legislation to the 72nd session of

2-33  the Nevada Legislature.

 

2-34  H