HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 49

(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chambers,
Delegates Leach, Staton and Ashley)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a study of substance abuse in the State of West Virginia and the effects of substance abuse on West Virginia families.
Whereas, The West Virginia Legislature and the citizens of West Virginia know that substance abuse kills; and
Whereas, Substance abuse is common in our society and the cost of treatment to the State and to the families for the abuser and the abuser's family increase greatly every year; and
Whereas, Most domestic violence cases are directly related to substance abuse; and
Whereas, The children of West Virginia suffer greatly from substance abuse and substance abusers; and
Whereas, West Virginians should be supportive of the rehabilitation of abusers to help them return to active and productive participation in their families and communities; and
Whereas, All West Virginians would benefit greatly by having available licensed substance abuse counselors to provide guidance to abusers and their families; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to review, examine and study the licensure of substance abuse counselors in West Virginia, and to make recommendations tothe Legislature regarding the same; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the committee should include five members appointed by the Speaker of the House, five members appointed by the President of the Senate, and three lay members familiar with substance abuse; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1997, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.