HHS Cannot Currently Measure States' Progress in Meeting the Prompt Treatment Goal for Intravenous Drug Users

GAO discussed three states' compliance with federal alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health services block grant provisions requiring them to: (1) ensure timely treatment of intravenous drug users; (2) develop a substance abuse treatment plan, if requested by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); (3) target funds to areas with the greatest need for services; (4) require local providers to notify the state when they exceeded 90-percent capacity; and (5) require local providers to conduct outreach activities. GAO noted that: (1) intravenous drug users were at high risk for contracting acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; (2) 5 of 15 clinics in the 3 states did not meet the 7-day treatment goal, with some clients waiting more than 3 months for treatment; (3) HHS did not collect sufficient data to measure states' progress in meeting the treatment goal; (4) HHS did not request the states to develop plans; (5) HHS was working with states to develop a survey instrument to obtain voluntary information on their planning and management of services; (6) all three states allocated funds to the neediest local providers; (7) all of the clinics reported their capacity levels to the states; and (8) although only California required local providers to conduct outreach, 12 of the 15 clinics conducted some type of outreach.