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Drug Treatment: Some Clinics Not Meeting Goal of Prompt Treatment for Intravenous Drug Users

HRD-90-80BR Published: Apr 30, 1990. Publicly Released: Apr 30, 1990.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the: (1) extent to which programs receiving alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services (ADMS) block grant funds provided timely treatment for intravenous (IV) drug users; and (2) Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) oversight of state efforts to implement those provisions.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services should revise the HHS reporting system to ensure that it collects sufficient information that measures individual states' progress in meeting the goal of providing IV drug abusers treatment within 7 days of request.
Closed – Implemented
HHS revised its reporting system to collect information that measures individual states' progress in providing reatment for IV drug abusers within 7 days of request. Under the uniform state application process, states are asked how they: (1) monitor the adequacy of efforts to meet the treatment needs of IV drug users; and (2) ensure that IV drug users be accepted for treatment within 7 days.

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Topics

AIDSSubstance abuseSubstance abuse treatmentstate relationsGrant monitoringHealth services administrationInfectious diseasesMethadone maintenanceReporting requirementsState programs