The Florida Senate

397.811  Juvenile substance abuse impairment coordination; legislative findings and intent.--

(1)  The Legislature recognizes that a substance abuse impairment crisis is destroying our youth and is the underlying cause of many juveniles entering the juvenile justice system, and that substance abuse impairment contributes to the crime rate, the school dropout rate, youth suicide, teenage pregnancy, AIDS, and substance-exposed newborns. The economic cost of substance abuse impairment to the state drains existing resources, and the cost to victims, both economic and psychological, is traumatic and tragic. The Legislature also recognizes that substance abuse impairment is a community problem, a family problem, a societal problem, and a judicial problem and that there is a critical need to address this emergency immediately. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature that scarce funds be invested in prevention and early intervention programs.

(2)  It is the intent of the Legislature to provide authority for the department to expand existing services to juveniles, to contract with community-based substance abuse service providers for the provision of specialized services, and to have prototype models developed prior to statewide implementation.

History.--s. 10, ch. 93-39; s. 5, ch. 99-187.