2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 70.96A.011: Legislative finding and intent — Purpose of chapter.

The legislature finds that the use of alcohol and other drugs has become a serious threat to the health of the citizens of the state of Washington. The use of psychoactive chemicals has been found to be a prime factor in the current AIDS epidemic. Therefore, a comprehensive statute to deal with alcoholism and other drug addiction is necessary.

     The legislature agrees with the 1987 resolution of the American Medical Association that endorses the proposition that all chemical dependencies, including alcoholism, are diseases. It is the intent of the legislature to end the sharp distinctions between alcoholism services and other drug addiction services, to recognize that chemical dependency is a disease, and to insure that prevention and treatment services are available and are of high quality. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide the financial assistance necessary to enable the department of social and health services to provide a discrete program of alcoholism and other drug addiction services.

[1989 c 270 § 1.]