Washington -- U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin (R-WY) reaffirmed her commitment to fighting Wyoming’s methamphetamine epidemic today, introducing legislation to provide funding for comprehensive family-based treatment for methamphetamine addicts.  

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“Time has proven that Wyoming’s terrible meth use problem is not going to go away on its own,” Representative Cubin said.  “Tougher laws and enforcement are part of the solution, but treatment is just as critical.  The bill I have introduced today will make funding for family-based treatment available to rural and other underserved areas hardest hit by meth.”

Cubin introduced The Family-Based Meth Treatment Access Act, which would support local programs providing counseling, medical treatment, parenting training, education and legal services to mothers recovering from meth and their children.  Cubin, who introduced identical legislation in the 109th Congress, was joined by a group of five bipartisan original co-sponsors, including Montana’s Denny Rehberg. 

“As a state with the fifth-highest per capita rate in the nation of people seeking treatment for meth, it’s clear that Wyoming has a critical lack of treatment options,” said Cubin, who serves on the House Meth Caucus, a coalition of Members dedicated to eradicating the effects of methamphetamine.  “One of the worst things about methamphetamine is what it does to kids and families.  Family-based treatment is a cost-effective treatment option that recognizes the devastating impacts addiction has on families.”

By focusing on families, Cubin’s legislation addresses a critical aspect of the battle to eradicate meth use. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), at least 70% of the child welfare cases across the states - including social services, family courts, foster care and adoption agencies - involve a substance abusing parent.  A CASA study showed that Wyoming’s child welfare costs as a result of substance abusing parents who come to the attention of state child welfare agencies totaled $7.1 million per year.

"Communities throughout Wyoming have taken up the fight against meth use, and I am committed to doing what I can at the Federal level to put a halt to this terrible epidemic," Cubin stated. "Addressing meth addiction through a comprehensive family-treatment approach has been proven to yield consistently positive outcomes in child well-being, family stability, and lower recidivism rates.”

KEY COMPONENTS OF THE FAMILY-BASED METH TREATMENT ACCESS ACT

SUPPLIES CRITICAL RESOURCES TO FAMILY TREATMENT PROVIDERS - Provides $70 million each year from 2008 through 2012 for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) to award funding for programs that provide comprehensive, family-based substance abuse treatment for pregnant and parenting women.
PRIORITIZES AWARDS FOR TREATMENT PROVIDERS OPERATING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES - Requires the Director to give priority to programs serving rural and mental health professional shortage areas affected by high rates of meth addiction.

PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS TO OVERCOME DRUG ADDICTION - Provides $40 million for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2010 and $50 million for fiscal years 2011 and 2012 in Health and Human Services grant funding to provide comprehensive, family-based substance abuse treatment services to non-violent offenders as an alternative to incarceration.