CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY-FIRST COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. M-14-5 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Brad Winter and Isaac Benton
MEMORIAL
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Calling For The State Of New Mexico, The City Of Albuquerque, And Bernalillo County To Form A Task Force To Discuss Joint Funding Opportunities And To Propose Recommendations To Address The Issues Surrounding And Concerning Mental Health Issues Within The State Of New Mexico (Winter, Benton)
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CALLING FOR THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, AND BERNALILLO COUNTY TO FORM A TASK FORCE TO DISCUSS JOINT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND TO PROPOSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES SURROUNDING AND CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.
WHEREAS, the inability of the system to adequately address individuals in mental health crises taxes other community resources such as hospital emergency rooms, homeless shelters, emergency response teams, detox facilities (for those who self-medicate) and other service systems that address the manifestations of individuals in crisis; and
WHEREAS, on an individual level, the arrest and detention of the mentally ill in crisis is a re-traumatizing and destabilizing event disrupting service systems that may be in place and exacerbating the crisis; and
WHEREAS, this can and does lead to tragic consequences in escalating encounters with law enforcement and suicidal behavior in detention; and
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque recognizes the behavioral health crisis within the metro area as well as in Bernalillo County and throughout the State of New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, studies show that the great majority of homeless mentally ill individuals can be engaged in treatment, housing and support services, but insufficient capacity exists in New Mexico to meet the needs of these individuals and families; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) is not the proper venue to send those ...
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