WHEREAS:

Substance abuse is the use of matter both legal and illegal in a habitual, improper or harmful way leading to psychological and physical addiction. Substance abuse can result in the breakdown of an individual's health, destruction of one's personal life, and significant decreases and/or failure in terms of job performance; and

WHEREAS:

Of persons 12 years of age and older approximately 171 million persons have used alcohol and 75 million have used illicit drugs during their lifetime; and

WHEREAS:

There are over 15 million persons in our society who are considered dependent and/or addicted to alcohol and another 12.6 million who are using drugs at least monthly; and

WHEREAS:

In 1991, 4 million children between the ages of 12 and 17 had used illicit drugs and 9 million had used alcohol in their lifetime; and

WHEREAS:

Children between ages 12 and 17 have shown a decrease in the use of most kinds of drugs and alcohol, the use of inhalants have increased over 1989 levels; and

WHEREAS:

The costs of alcohol problems in America were estimated to exceed $70 billion and drugs an additional $44 billion per year with the majority of these costs attributable to reduced productivity; and

WHEREAS:

Substance abuse is a public health problem, of which no one is immune. Substance abuse not only affects those persons addicted, but also affects families, co-workers and friends; and

WHEREAS:

Priority has been placed on interdiction and law enforcement without an equal emphasis on treatment; and

WHEREAS:

Addicted pregnant women who cannot find treatment and do not seek prenatal care for fear of incarceration and loss of their children give birth to children who are more likely to have serious life-long health problems and require extensive support services.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME councils and local unions design, develop and implement substance abuse education and training programs to prevent substance abuse and provide assistance to members, members families and other workers considered dependent and/or addicted. Such confidential out-patient services should be provided through employee assistance programs. Long-term in-patient substance abuse services should be covered and reimbursable under health insurance plans; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME provide assistance to local unions and councils seeking to establish programs that provide counseling and treatment to those members who are in need of help; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue its support of public policy initiatives which treat substance abuse as a public health problem and expand treatment opportunities to all in need, especially pregnant women.

SUBMITTED BY:

James Glass, President
Lawrence A. Roehrig, Secretary-Treasurer
AFSCME Council 25
Michigan