|
State Rep. William Lantigua (D-Lawrence), chairman of the
Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus, announced that the
organization will seek increased funding in the fiscal 2007 state
budget for youth summer employment, substance abuse treatment, and
programs to treat HIV and AIDS.
“As a body, we’ve chosen to unite on the issues that affect our
constituents most deeply,” said Lantigua. “We strongly believe
that these requests can help improve health and well-being not
only in our communities, but across the Commonwealth. I’m very
proud to be given the opportunity to lead this legislative caucus,
and encouraged by the way we’ve come together.”
In a unanimous vote taken during its meeting on Wednesday, March
22, the Caucus identified three budget priorities. The first would
fund a statewide youth employment program at $6 million, an
increase of $2 million over fiscal 2006. The second would add $20
million to the state’s substance abuse treatment programs,
bringing total funding to more than $67.5 million. The third would
raise funding for AIDS-related services and programs to $40.5
million, an increase of $5 million over last year’s amount.
Lantigua cited social trends in explaining why the Caucus had
decided to highlight employment, health, and human services. By
providing summer jobs to at-risk youth, Lantigua said, the Caucus
hopes to circumvent the gang violence that gripped urban areas
last year.
Lantigua suggested that increased funding for substance abuse
treatment would address both health and public safety needs. A
recent study by Brandeis University determined that 200,000 people
statewide are not receiving necessary treatment for their
substance abuse problems. Insufficient funding for addiction
treatment has led to the closure of rehabilitation centers and, it
is believed, to a corresponding increase in drug-related crimes.
Lantigua noted the disproportionate number of minorities in the
state’s prison population, and the high percentage of inmates who
suffer from substance abuse problems.
“You have to get to the root of the problem,” Lantigua said, “and
the root of this problem is addiction. It’s not enough to put
people behind bars. You have to cure them so that this disease
won’t continue to ruin their lives and put others in danger.”
Lantigua referred to a 2004 analysis by the Massachusetts
Department of Public Health, which concluded that black women
comprise 39 percent of all women living with AIDS. This statistic
is echoed by other studies that have found the AIDS infection rate
higher in urban communities than in the general population.
“Fighting AIDS is as much about education as treatment,” Lantigua
said. “When people do get sick, they should have access to the
medicine and support they need.”
|
