Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act Amendments

(LATEST SUMMARY)

Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act Amendments - =Title I: Federal Assistance for State and Local Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse Programs= - Authorizes appropriations, for grants to States for alcoholism and alcohol abuse programs, of $60,000,000 for fiscal years 1975 and 1976. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to arrange for the assignment of officers and employees of the Department or provide equipment or supplies in lieu of a portion of the allotment to States.

Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, to, during the period beginning July 1, 1973, and ending June 30, 1976, make grants to States for the implementation of the Uniform Alcoholism and Intoxication Treatment Act.

Provides that the Secretary may not approve an application of a State under this section unless he determines that under the laws of that State and of each of its political subdivisions no individual may be subject to criminal prosecution solely on the basis of his consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Provides that, for the purpose of making payments for grants, there is authorized to be appropriated $13,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, and for each of the next two fiscal years.

Allows the Secretary, acting through the Institute, to make grants to public and nonprofit private entities and to enter into contracts with public and private entities and with individuals: (1) to conduct demonstration, service, and evaluation projects; and (2) to provide counseling and education activities on an individual or community basis, for the prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse and alcoholism and for the rehabilitation of alcohol abusers and alcoholics.

Authorizes, for payments for grants and contracts under this section, the appropriation of $60,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and $75,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976.

Prohibits alcohol abusers and alcoholics who are suffering from emergency medical conditions from being refused admission or treatment, solely because of their alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence, by any private or public general hospital which receives support in any form from any program supported in whole or in part by funds appropriated to any Federal department or agency.

States that records of the identity, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of any patient which are maintained in connection with the performance of any program or activity relating to alcoholism or alcohol abuse education, training, treatment, rehabilitation, or research, which is conducted, regulated, or directly or indirectly assisted by any department or agency of the United States shall be confidential and may be disclosed only for the purposes and under the circumstances expressly authorized under this Act.

Provides that, except as authorized by a court order granted under this Act, no such record may be used to initiate or substantiate any criminal charges against a patient or to conduct any investigation of a patient.

=Title II: Administration and Coordination of the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse= - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration.

Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administration, to supervise the functions of the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse to assure that the programs carried out through each such Institute receive appropriate and equitable support, and that there is cooperation among the Institutes in the implementation of such programs.

Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a National Panel on Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health to advise, consult with, and make recommendations to, the Secretary concerning the activities to be carried out through the Administration.

Establishes a National Institute of Mental Health to administer the programs and authorities of the Secretary with respect to mental health functions.

Directs the Secretary, acting through the Institute, to develop and conduct comprehensive health, education, training, research, and planning programs for the prevention and treatment of mental illness and for the rehabilitation of the mentally ill.

Establishes the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to administer the programs and authorities assigned to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare by this Act and the Community Mental Health Centers Act.

Directs the Secretary to develop and conduct comprehensive health, education, training, research, and planning programs for the prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse and alcoholism and for the rehabilitation of alcohol abusers and alcoholics.

Establishes the National Institute on Drug Abuse to administer the programs and authorities of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare with respect to drug abuse prevention functions.

Directs the Secretary, acting through the Institute, to develop and conduct comprehensive health, education, training, research, and planning programs for the prevention and treatment of drug abuse and for the rehabilitation of drug abusers.

Establishes an Interagency Committee on Federal Activities for Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse.

Directs the Committee to evaluate the adequacy and technical soundness of all Federal programs and activities which relate to alcoholism and alcohol abuse and provide for the communication and exchange of information necessary to maintain the coordination and effectiveness of such programs and activities.