[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 65 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DODD:
  S. 970. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish 
grant programs for youth substance abuse treatment services; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


               Teen Substance Abuse Treatment Act of 1999

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Teen 
Substance Abuse Treatment Act of 1999. This legislation fills an 
important gap in our national strategy for combating substance abuse in 
our communities. Specifically, this bill creates a dedicated funding 
commitment for treating youth with alcohol and drug problems.
  We have made important progress in impacting the number of our youth 
using alcohol and drugs. However, studies reveal that alcohol is still 
the drug of choice for many Americans--and our youth are no exception. 
Studies reveal that fifty-two percent of senior high school students 
report using alcohol in the past month and 25% are using drugs on a 
monthly basis.
  Each year, 400,000 teens and their families will seek substance abuse 
treatment but find that it is either unavailable or unaffordable. Some 
teens in need of treatment may have incomes too high to receive 
Medicaid, but too low to afford private insurance or to pay for 
treatment out of pocket. Those who do have private insurance through a 
managed care plan may find that length of treatment is severely 
restricted. At best, 20% of adolescents with severe alcohol and drug 
treatment problems who ask for help will receive any form of treatment.
  Those teens who are fortunate enough to get treatment often find that 
available services do not adequately address their needs. The physical, 
hormonal, developmental, and emotional changes of the adolescent years 
pose challenges to health care providers, many of whom have not been 
trained to deal specifically with this population. Providing teens with 
access to research-based, developmentally and age-appropriate treatment 
which will address their specific needs can increase their rates of 
recovery and better prevent relapses.
  Without intervention teen substance abusers may also engage in other 
risky behaviors. Teen alcohol and drug abuse may spiral into academic 
failure and involvement with the juvenile justice system. Juvenile 
courts report that in over 50 percent of their cases substance abuse is 
a contributing factor. In a survey of teens receiving substance abuse 
treatment, 59% had been arrested at least once and 16% had been 
arrested for felonies. In addition, teens who use alcohol are more 
likely to become sexually active at earlier ages and to engage in 
unsafe sex, increasing the chances of unplanned pregnancies and 
sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
  We also know that substance abuse is associated with aggressive, 
anti-social, and violent behaviors and that chemical dependency can 
magnify existing behavioral problems. The facts are alarming: children 
who abuse alcohol and drugs are at a greater risk for killing 
themselves or others. Alcohol-related traffic crashes are the leading 
cause of teen death, and alcohol is also involved in homicides and 
suicides, the second and third leading causes of teen deaths 
respectively.
  Alcohol and drug use has a huge price tag both for families and 
society at large--and we can't afford to sit idly by while it continues 
to rise. Seven thousand youth in my state of Connecticut alone are in 
need of treatment. That is why I am introducing the Teen Substance 
Abuse Treatment Act. This legislation will provide grants to give youth 
substance abusers access to effective alcohol and drug treatment 
services that are developmentally and culturally appropriate. 
Specifically, this bill will address the particular issues of youth 
involved with the juvenile justice system and those with mental health 
or other special needs. Finally, this legislation will contribute to 
the development of treatment models that address the relationship 
between substance abuse and aggressive, anti-social, and violent 
behaviors.
  While I am disappointed that this bill is not currently included in 
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Reauthorization 
legislation that will be introduced today, I am encouraged that Senator 
Frist has agreed to work with me, Senator Reed, and Senator Bingaman 
prior to a markup of the bill to craft legislation to comprehensively 
address the substance abuse needs of adolescents.
  The Teen Substance Abuse Treatment Act of 1999 expresses a commitment 
to ensuring that no child who asks for help with a substance abuse 
problem will be denied treatment. I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation.
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