Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar announced that the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse has been awarded a $2.5 million grant to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS transmission among substance abusers in Starr and Webb Counties. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA).

The South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse will receive the first year allotment of 500,000, with the total amount of the grant potentially reaching $2.5 million over the next five years.

“As a member of Congress, ensuring the health and safety of my constituents continues to be one of my top priorities. Unfortunately, HIV and AIDS are two diseases that know no boundaries and affects people from all walks of life,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These two diseases do not discriminate; they affect the rich and the poor and the educated and non-educated.”
 
The project, called Caminos de la Frontera, will target men at high risk for HIV infection, including those who inject drugs, as well as men and women who are experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance dependency or abuse.

Since testing started in 1985, 412 people have tested positive for HIV in Webb County and 17 in Starr County. The number of reported AIDS cases in Webb County is 260 and 29 in Starr County.

Over the five-year grant period, funds will be used to provide coordinated substance abuse treatment and HIV/AIDS testing, counseling, and behavior modification therapies to 1,108 high-risk drug abusers. In addition, 720 high-risk drug users and their injection and/or sexual partners will be tested for HIV, and 2,000 persons at high risk for HIV transmission will receive free HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases health education.

Chris Laurel, Executive Director of the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, expressed his gratitude to Congressman Cuellar and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for providing funds to reduce HIV/AIDS transmission among substance abusers on the Texas-Mexico border.

“This 5 year grant will serve both Starr and Webb Counties with more intensive drug and alcohol outpatient treatment services and HIV/AIDS outreach, prevention, and counseling programs. It will target the neediest and poorest members of the community, especially Hispanic men and women who inject drugs, and their children who present the highest risk for HIV infection.” 

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.

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