Tobacco.org

Lawmaker: Hands off anti-smoking programs targeting minorities  

Members of a legislative subcommittee that is scouring Arkansas’ tobacco settlement proceeds for extra money took notice of a $3 million fund balance in the master’s degree program on addiction studies at the University Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

But a Pine Bluff lawmaker says the little-known degree program and 17 community and school grants the university oversees should not be raided for funds to pay for other health-related programs because they and other minority health initiatives funded with tobacco settlement money are addressing a major problem — disparities in health services.

“It’s shocking. If you look at access to health care, you look at the demographics and minority residents, especially in the Delta, minorities don’t have sufficient health care,” Rep. Stephanie Flowers, D-Pine Bluff, said last week after meeting of a joint subcommittee of the House and Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor committees.

During the meeting, members carefully examined the budget of the state Health Department’s Smoking Prevention and Cessation Program’s budget looking for any excess funds that could be shifted to other health-related programs, such as adult drug courts. “I think that is the wrong direction,” Flowers said. . . .

One of the few programs of its kind in the country, director Jerry Lewis told lawmakers it prepares students for intervention, prevention and treatment of those with alcohol, tobacco, drug and gambling addictions. Students also learn how to manage addiction facilities.

Jump to full article »