Substance use prevention took center stage at the recent Commission for Behavioral Health meeting, with urgent calls for increased funding and support for vulnerable populations in California. The program director of Dede Hirsch Mental Health Services highlighted alarming statistics showing that drug overdose deaths among California children aged 12 to 18 are rising faster than the national average.

The director emphasized the critical need for the state to maintain its commitment to funding substance use prevention and harm reduction services. "To fail to do so would not only directly and immediately put the lives of young Californians at risk, it would also exacerbate California's existing housing crisis," they warned, citing research linking substance use to homelessness.

Dede Hirsch and other organizations are ready to implement proven interventions to combat substance use, but they require state investment to do so effectively. The director urged the commission to prioritize discussions around substance use in future meetings, stressing that timely funding is essential for saving lives and supporting communities.

As the meeting progressed, the importance of addressing substance use issues was echoed by other participants, underscoring a growing consensus on the need for immediate action. The commission's response to these calls for action will be crucial in shaping the future of mental health and substance use services in California.