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Imagine a society where every individual struggling with mental health issues or substance use disorders has access to the care they need. Picture communities where crime rates drop, homelessness declines and untreated conditions no longer tear families apart. This vision is not a distant dream but a tangible reality we can achieve through continued investment in mental health and substance use disorder services.
The Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board levy was first passed in 1976. Although it has been renewed, it has never been replaced, meaning that it is still based on 1976 property valuations, and 1976 dollars are not enough to address 2024 problems. This is why we ask for your support of our levy on the ballot this November. A vote "for" keeps the same 0.5 millage but uses current property values. If a property owner's home is valued at $100,000, they're assessed only $18 for the entire year.
Every day, millions of individuals struggle with mental health issues and substance use disorders. These conditions do not discriminate; they affect people of all ages, races and socioeconomic backgrounds. In Jefferson County, families are torn apart, lives are lost and communities are left to pick up the pieces. The Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board supports services that help prevent these situations from happening and passing this levy will provide more funds for more services.
Individuals with untreated mental health and substance use disorders are more likely to be incarcerated. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, every dollar spent on substance use disorder treatment saves $4 in health care costs and $7 in criminal justice costs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that substance use disorders alone cost the United States more than $740 billion annually in lost productivity, health care expenses and crime-related costs. Investing in treatment and prevention can significantly reduce these costs, leading to a healthier, more productive workforce and a more robust economy.
Many of our community leaders, including Sheriff Fred Abdalla and Health Commissioner Andrew Henry, support this levy. The Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board values community partners and citizens in addressing mental health and substance use disorder issues. We are proud that overdose deaths decreased by almost 50 percent in Jefferson County last year. We must continue to cut that rate even further and voting for this levy is one way we can all make a difference.
The Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board has partnered with the sheriff's department, local judges and probation officers to get people treatment and hold them accountable for completing that treatment. This breaks the cycle of addiction and frees up time, space and money for our local first responders, health care workers and hospitals.
One of the most compelling arguments for voting for this levy is the effectiveness of prevention services. Early intervention for children and youth can prevent the escalation of mental health issues and substance use disorders, reducing the need for more intensive and costly treatments later. With the passage of this levy, we look to expand prevention services for young people.
The need for improved funding for mental health and substance use disorder services is clear.
The Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board levy invests in our people, economy and future. This is not about politics but about people. As our slogan states, this levy is about "Healing Our Community." As we move forward, let us prioritize these essential services and ensure everyone can access the care they need. We ask you, the voters, to go to the last issue on your ballot and vote "for" mental health and recovery services. The well-being of Jefferson County depends on it.
(Holt is the executive director of the Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board)