Who's Paying for Public Substance Abuse Programs? Trends and Inter-State Variability in the Revenues of State Drug and Alcohol Abuse Agencies,from 1985 to 1989

Abstract

This article documents shifts in the inflation-adjusted revenue sources of state drug and alcohol abuse agencies from 1985 to 1989. All revenues sources show substantial increases in contributions during this period, with the federal block grant providing the largest absolute increase to state revenues (+55%). States continue to be the largest payor for public substance abuse services, accounting for 47% of the total, with the federal government increasing its proportionate share 8%. Interstate variability in per capita expenditures on public substance abuse services is considerable, primarily due to variations in revenues provided by state governments. Future research is needed to determine the sources and effects of differences in states' relative commitment to substance abuse services.