(a) The major purpose of prevention and early intervention activities includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(1) To facilitate positive change in community and individual understanding, values, attitudes, environmental factors, and behavior concerning alcohol and its inappropriate use and other drug use.
(2) To reduce the likelihood of the inappropriate use of alcohol and other drugs by developing and implementing public policies designed to reduce or limit alcohol and other drug consumption.
(3) To lessen the stigmatization of persons who seek help for problems related to inappropriate alcohol use and other drug use.
(4) To provide information so that the public may make informed personal and public policy decisions regarding the inappropriate use and nonuse of alcoholic beverages and other drugs.
(5) To enlighten the “helping professions” to recognize persons with alcohol and other drug problems and to offer them appropriate services.
(6) To encourage persons to seek early help for their alcohol or other drug problems.
(b) The Legislature recognizes that the effective provision of the activities specified in subdivision (a) will result in an increased demand upon, and utilization of, existing services to alcohol and other drug abusers and their families. However, the Legislature believes that provision of effective prevention and early intervention activities over the next decade will result in saving taxpayers funds that might otherwise have to be expended for higher health and safety costs.
(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 862, Sec. 75. Effective January 1, 2005.)