Juneau -- The Alaska Senate Tuesday passed HCR 11, sponsored by Representative Fred Dyson.

HCR 11 encourages that efforts be made within the criminal justice system and at the legislative level to combat substance abuse, with the goal of reducing recidivism.

"Alaskans pay a high price when alcohol and substance abuse treatment services are not available," Dyson said. "These significant impacts increase costs to communities for hospitals, courts, policing, and entitlement programs for the delivery of health and social services. They also contribute to the need for more correctional facilities in Alaska."

Studies within the Department of Corrections show that abuse of alcohol and other drugs interferes with other efforts to rehabilitate offenders. Research suggest that up to eighty percent of offenders were either under the influence of alcohol or other drugs when they committed offenses or their addiction contributed to their criminal behavior.

"Of late, the Administration has taken steps to address these problems, but it is appropriate that the Legislature continue to take the policy lead in these matters," Dyson said. "By placing the Legislature on the record we send a message to this Administration and to the ones that will follow that this Legislature wants the problem of drug and alcohol abuse within our correctional system addressed."

HCR 11 passed both bodies unanimously.

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= Fred Dyson, 49 K = Fred Dyson, 31 K