behavioral health and intellectual disability services, philadelphia, pennsylvania; fran harding, director, center for substance abuse prevention, substance abuse and mental health services administration, u.s. department of health and human services, rockville, maryland; john shinholser, president, mcshin foundation, richmond, virginia; pat taylor, executive director, faces & voices of recovery, washington, d.c. fran, why is there a need to increase public awareness and support related to mental and substance use disorders? it's a good question because many people are thinking that they've seen way too much information on this, and, in fact, what we have learned is that we have to get the message out so people understand the facts. they understand that substance abuse and mental health disorders are-is just another chronic illness or problem in the public health realm, and we want-as we move closer to health reform, we want the american public to understand that where we fit into overall health and general medicine. so we're-we need to get the message not only to parents, not only to young people, but to schools, to faith-based organizations, to communities, to businesses. every piece

i am pleased to welcome paolo del vecchio, he is director of the substance abuse and mental health services administration center for mental health services. most of you are much more familiar with the acronym samsa. it is the lead federal agency designed to reduce the impact of substance use and mental illness across this country. he was the first consumer affairs specialist hired by samsa in 1995, he promoted consumer participation and all aspects of samsa's policies and operations ranging from public education--to developing evidence based practices to address the needs of those suffering with mental health conditions. he was also the center for mental health services associate director for consumer affairs where he managed samsa's president setting activities addressing issues such as discrimination and stigma, consumer rights, wellness, recovery and trauma. paolo del vecchio is committed to improving lives of people with mental illnesses and is an extraordinary advocate, one of my boys in be in this position for nine month is to be a partner with people like paolo del vecchio. he is not just a bureau

and xanax. according to the national survey on drug use and health, published by the substance abuse and mental health services administration, samhsa, of those individuals or use prescription painkillers not medically in 2010 and 2011, nearly three quarters received the drugs from a friend or relative, either for free, that's 54.2%, through a purchase, strong .2%, or by stealing the drugs, 4.4%. today's hearing focuses on the federal government's response to the prescription drug abuse epidemic. it should be noted that this committee has played a key role in facilitating prescription drug monitoring programs by authorizing the national all scheduled prescription electronic reporting act, master, cosponsored by whitfield and ranking member blew. nester which is housed at the department of health and human services was signed into law in august 11, 2005 to assist states in combating prescription drug abuse of controlled substances through the pnp. it provides grants to set up or improved state systems that meet basic standards of information, collection, and privacy protections that will make it easier for states to share inf

and research, u.s. food and drug administration. finally, dr. westley clark, center for substance abuse treatment, mental health services administration.thank you for coming danger but testimony will be made part of the record. to be be given five minutes summarizer testimony. mr. said to come you recognize for five minutes for your opening statement. >> thank you, chairman pitts, ranking member czajkowski in thank you for the opportunity to address the important issue of prescription drug abuse in this country. perfecting prescription drug abuse has been a major focus of our office sent my confirmation four years ago. we work collaboratively with federal agencies throughout government to address with the cdc has turned an epidemic. my position allows me to raise public awareness and take action on drug issues that affect the nation and the administration recognizes addiction is a disease that prevention treatment and smart bomb first and have to play a part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce drug use and give help to those need it and ensure public health and safety. we are here because the prescription drug abuse has had devastati

and xanax. according to the national survey on drug use and health published by the substance abuse and mental health services administrationof those individuals who use prescription painkillers in 2010 and 2011, nearly three quarters receive the drugs from a friend or relative either for free to repurchase or base stealing the drugs. 4.4%. today's hearing focuses on the federal government reese on to the prescription drug abuse epidemic. it should be noted that this committee has played a key role in facilitating prescription drug monitoring programs by authorizing the national prescription reporting i come across monster by whitfield and ranking member pullout. master is housed at the department of health and human services to sign into law in august 11, 2005 to assist states in combating prescription drug abuse of controlled substances through the pdmp. it provides grants to set up or improve state systems that meet basic standards of information collection and privacy protections that make it easier for states to share information. pdmp enables authorities to identify drug abusers as well as the prop room doctors to mak

behavioral health and intellectual disability services, philadelphia, pennsylvania; fran harding, director, center for substance abuse prevention, substance abuse and mental health services administration,