Section 74.50.011. Additional legislative findings.

The legislature recognizes that alcoholism and drug addiction are treatable diseases and that most persons with this illness can recover. For this reason, this chapter provides a range of substance abuse treatment services. In addition, the legislature recognizes that when these diseases have progressed to the stage where a person's alcoholism or drug addiction has resulted in physiological or organic damage or cognitive impairment, shelter services may be appropriate. The legislature further recognizes that distinguishing alcoholics and drug addicts from persons incapacitated due to physical disability or mental illness is necessary in order to provide an incentive for alcoholics and drug addicts to seek appropriate treatment and in order to avoid use of programs that are not oriented toward their conditions.

[ 1989 1st ex.s. c 18 § 1.]

NOTES:

Study and report—1989 1st ex.s. c 18: "The department of social and health services shall:

(1) Collect and maintain relevant demographic data regarding persons receiving or awaiting treatment services under this chapter;

(2) Collect and maintain utilization data on inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, shelter services, and medical services;

(3) Monitor contracted service providers to ensure conformance with the omnibus appropriations act and the treatment priorities established in this chapter;

(4) Report the results of the data collection and monitoring provided for in this section to appropriate committees of the legislature on or before December 1, 1989, and December 1, 1990." [ 1989 1st ex.s. c 18 § 7.]

Severability—1989 1st ex.s. c 18: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1989 1st ex.s. c 18 § 9.]

Effective date—1989 1st ex.s. c 18: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1989." [ 1989 1st ex.s. c 18 § 10.]

1989 1st ex.s. c 18 § 1.