DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AGENCY: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and 
Mental Health Services Administration, DHHS.

ACTION: Request for public comment on five issues (domains) of concern 
to the substance abuse treatment field when assessing substance abuse 
treatment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse 
Treatment (CSAT) is formally inviting public comment on five issues 
(domains) that are of concern to the substance abuse treatment field 
and require development and exploration. Via several mechanisms, 
including public hearings, CSAT intends that findings from the 
exploration of individual domains will ultimately be synthesized into a 
coherent national strategy to guide substance abuse treatment program 
and policy development for the future. Individuals and organizations 
are encouraged to comment in one of several ways: (1) in writing, by 
submission through the U.S. Mail or courier service; (2) via the 
National Treatment Plan web site (http://www.NaTxPlan.org); or (3) in 
person at the remaining public hearing. The final cutoff date for 
comments is December 1, 1999. This notice discusses the public hearings 
at which interested individuals/organizations may testify regarding the 
five substance abuse treatment domains discussed below.

DATES/LOCATIONS: In addition to the public hearings held on July 8 in 
Hartford, Connecticut; September 16 in Chicago, Illinois; October 18 in 
Washington, DC; and October 26 in Portland, Oregon; CSAT plans to 
conduct a public hearing on November 8 in Tampa, Florida. The hearing 
will be held at the County Center, Corner of Kennedy Boulevard and 
Pierce Street, Tampa, Florida 33602 on November 8, 1999, between the 
hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Specific details regarding any 
subsequent hearings will be published in the Federal Register 
approximately one month prior to the hearing.

    Requests to testify at the Tampa, Florida, public hearing must be 
submitted to the addressee indicated below by November 2, 1999. Seating 
is limited. In the event that interpretive services for the hearing-
impaired are required, please indicate these special needs to the 
addressee.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
regarding the hearing and/or testimonies, as well as requests to 
testify must be addressed to: Marjorie Cashion (Tele: (301) 443-3821; 
e-mail: mcashion@samhsa.gov; Fax: (301) 480-6077), Center for Substance 
Abuse Treatment, SAMHSA, Rockwall II Building, Suite 618, 5600 Fishers 
Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857.

    Written comments (without a request to personally testify) will 
also be accepted by the above addressee. Written testimonies are 
limited to five (5) typed pages using 1.5 line spacing and 12 point 
font.