Assemblymember Diane Dixon held a news conference in Santa Ana on Friday, Oct. 25, to address a California State Auditor’s report exposing serious oversight gaps in the state’s drug and alcohol treatment facilities. The findings reveal critical issues with licensing practices, complaint investigation delays, and insufficient follow-up investigations by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), sparking concerns over the quality of care provided in these facilities.
Dixon emphasized the importance of the audit, calling it a “major aha moment” that underscores the need for reform. “Drug and alcohol treatment centers are a serious issue, not only in our coastal cities but in many cities across California,” she said. “Our bottom-line question today: Are the residents in these facilities getting well? We don’t believe they are in the current system.”
The audit highlights numerous challenges, including delays in investigating complaints. Assemblymember Laurie Davies of the 74th District, author of AB 2081, explained that DHCS investigations are often far behind schedule.
“The median time to submit files for a low-priority investigation was found to be 382 days; medium (priority) was 348 days, while high-priority investigations took up to 84 days to complete,” she said, pointing to a shortage of investigators and an influx of complaints as contributing factors.
“There can be serious consequences on the lives of those actively seeking help now,” Davies said, adding that the current oversight is insufficient to handle the increasing number of facilities opening due to the drug epidemic.
Read the full story: https://www.picketfencemedia.com/sanclementetimes/eye-on-sc/local-leaders-call-for-reform-after-audit-exposes-gaps-in-treatment-center-oversight/article_58f7d9a0-9c8e-11ef-a17d-d74966e9ccda.html