News Release

HHS Announces $17.5 Million for Texas Brief Interventions to Deal with People at Risk of Dependence on Alcohol or Drugs

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced a $17.5 million award to Texas to fund early intervention services in hospitals and other general medical and community settings to reach people at risk of dependence on alcohol or drugs.  Texas is expected to receive $3.5 million per year for five years for a projected total of  $17.5 million.

This cooperative agreement is designed to expand the continuum of care available to include screening, brief interventions, referrals and brief treatment.  The community and medical settings, such as schools and health clinics, will have the capacity to refer dependent persons to more intense specialized substance abuse treatment services, when needed. 

"This grant will make it easier for local professionals in Texas to offer a helping hand to those who engage in risky behavior involving alcohol and drugs," Secretary Thompson said.  "Left unchecked, these behaviors can lead to deeper dependency that makes recovery more difficult." 

John Walters, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, noted: “Prevention is a critical part of our balanced strategy.  Investments in prevention yield long-lasting payoffs in people’s lives and communities.  We also know that early intervention is critical.  Today’s announcement is in keeping with a new focus on encouraging people around young people to help them stop drug use before it becomes a problem.”

The initial award of $3.5 million by HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will be renewable by the state for up to five years, depending on outcomes and availability of funding. 

“This award will allow community health centers, school-based health clinics and student assistance programs, occupational health clinics, hospitals, and emergency departments to conduct brief interventions that can reorient many people away from behavior, that unchecked can lead to addiction,” SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie said.  “SAMHSA is helping states add brief interventions to their spectrum of care, so that substance abuse treatment is addressed before the patient needs residential care or intensive outpatient care, to overcome addictions to alcohol and drugs.”

The Exceptional Care for Texas project (SPECTRUM) will impact the system of care within the Harris County Hospital District in the Houston metropolitan area. The project will incorporate substance use screening and brief interventions as routine procedures within the health district's service delivery system, creating a bridge between the general medical system and the substance abuse service delivery system. 

Screening and brief intervention will be provided through a multidisciplinary team in community clinics, school clinics, and throughout Ben Taub hospital, including the Level I trauma center. Brief treatment will be provided for patients diagnosed with abuse, and those in need of more extensive services will be placed into specialty programs. All patients will be connected with a primary care provider for long-term monitoring and referred to other appropriate services.

Brief intervention and treatment also will be developed in the substance abuse service system. The outreach, screening, and referral agency will add brief intervention and treatment to its services and provide long-term care coordination for severely impaired individuals.  Social marketing techniques will be used to engage healthcare professionals, participants, and patients throughout the project. The project will increase the availability of related training throughout Houston and develop a comprehensive provider support system including technical assistance, a website, meetings, and positive incentives. 

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The agency is responsible for accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment and mental health service delivery systems.

 

This page was last updated on 20 October, 2003
SAMHSA is An Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services