1990-11990-Resolution No. 90-031 Recorded 4/27/1990REVIEWED
100 ^ 19b1
90- 11990 _ cou, �sFt
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON
A Resolution Proclaiming the *
Month of May as Mental Health *
Month in Deschutes County,
Oregon, Focusing Specifically *
Upon Dually Diagnosed Youth, *
Substance Abuse and Emotional *
Disorders.
RESOLUTION NO. 90 -031
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WHEREAS, studies of treatment practices show that the
earlier the diagnosis, the more successful the intervention is
likely to be for the dually diagnosed adolescent. The early
stages of adolescent drug abuse may be missed because changes are
often subtle and behavioral changes may be attributed to the
normal maturation process that occurs during adolescence; and
WHEREAS, research suggests that there exists a general
under - reporting of the number of persons within the dually
diagnosed population in this country. Often, studies which
identify mentally ill youth as dually diagnosed define them in
terms of participation in a substance abuse program, overlooking
significant numbers of youth not in such a program, i.e., those
who have yet to seek treatment; and
WHEREAS, drug and alcohol abuse are known to produce states
which mimic major psychiatric disorders. Experts say a minimum
of a six to eight -month drug -free time period is necessary before
an accurate psychiatric assessment can be performed. For this
reason, it is difficult to distinguish between drug or alcohol -
induced psychopathology and simple co- occurrence of disorders;
and
WHEREAS, the dually diagnosed account for 50% of youth
arrested and /or with charges pending against them; and
WHEREAS, there exists a need for increased objectivity in
client assessment of dually diagnosed youth rather than those
assessments which rely on clinical judgment and are informal and
not based upon standard questionnaires; and
WHEREAS, it is essential to not only identify the severity
of the substance abuse and mental illness, but also the extent of
other problems that may complicate the condition; and
WHEREAS, there needs to be a differential assignment of
clients to various treatment levels and modalities. There may be
some clients for whom no appropriate treatment currently exists,
while for others, decision of formal treatment versus education,
MICROFILMED
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MAY 2 2 199Q
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residential versus outpatient or extended care versus support
group are the relevant questions; and
WHEREAS, studies show that the overall prevalence of mental
illness is quite high in substance abuse populations. For
example, problem drinking as well as drug abuse place people at
higher risk for developing anxiety disorders and depression
symptoms, especially at high levels of intake; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Deschutes
County, Oregon, has acknowledged through youth- oriented programs
in its Juvenile and Mental Health Department such as CHOICES, the
Youth Assistance Program and Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Treat-
ment Services the importance of early recognition of concomitant
mental health disorders and substance abuse in our county's
youth; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON, as follows:
Section 1. The Board of County Commissioners of Deschutes
County do hereby proclaim the month May, 1990, to be Mental
Health Month in Deschutes County and urge all citizens to be
cognizant of the national and local programs being coordinated to
provide treatment of our youth. a/04Lei DAT ED this 5day of , 1990.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF DESC TES CO Y, OREGON
/
s" 7,
LOIS :ISIsW PRANTE, Commissioner
ATT T:' TOM(TH "OP, ha'
Recording Secretary DIM MAUDLI , -Coihmissioner
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