Page 121

Mental Health and Drug Abuse

Federal involvement with mental health goes back to the mid 19th century when St. Elizabeths Hospital for the mentally ill opened in Washington. D.C. But it was only in the second decade of this century that the Public Health Service began systematic field studies related to mental health, focusing on school children. A Division of Mental Hygiene was established in the Public Health Service in 1930 and became the National Institute of Mental Health in 1949.

The importance of the problem of drug addiction was also recognized by the Federal Government in the 1920s and 1930s, and two hospitals for the treatment of narcotic addicts were created within the Service.

Concern with these problems continues in the work of the three institutes and SAMHSA. They provide financial support for a broad spectrum of basic, applied, and clinical research, ranging from investigations at the molecular level to study of risk factors in the environment. Prevention projects, dissemination of scientific and technical information, and the provision of professional and technical assistance to states and communities in operating alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health programs are also important objectives.

Page: 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 170