Substance Abuse Ltr re: fundingSASC
SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES CENTER
April 28, 2003
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager of Dubuque
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
Dear Mike:
This letter is in response to your letter regarding the Public Strategies Group proposal and the impact it wilt
have'on the FY2004 budget for the City of Dubuque. As I understand it, the legislation has passed and is
headed to the Governor's desk. I'm sure the full impact of this legislation has yet to be determined.
However, I would hope you could fmd a way to maintain the tax-funded Purchase of Service Agreements
that were approved as part of the FY2004 budget.
I particularly want to advocate for the continued funding of SASC's program, which provides early
mtervention and treatment services for youth. I would point out that the belief of Attorney General Tom
Miller and many others in Iowa is that "the number one thing we can do to fight crime is fight drugs and
the number one thing we can do to fight drugs is to do a better job with drug treatment."
I believe that safeguarding the public safety of its citizens is an important responsibihty for the City of
Dubuque, and an important piece of that is maintaining existing substance abuse treatment services.
Thank you for your consideration.
Diane K. Thomas
Executive Director
cc: City Council Members