Sample Letter To Senator Template printable pdf download

SAMPLE LETTER

*** Keep all letters to one page!

Date

The Honorable (full name)

Texas House of Representatives

Texas Senate

PO Box 2910

PO Box 12068

Austin, TX 78768-2910

Austin, TX 78711-2068

Dear Mr./Mrs. (last name)

Dear Senator (last name)

I am writing to urge you to support the DSHS exceptional item request for $33 million per year for substance

abuse prevention and treatment in SB 1. Substance use disorders are not

only a hardship on individuals and

families, it is a significant economic burden for government, businesses and taxpayers in ( local area

It is estimated that

(insert local prevalence data if accessible) OR…. 854,000 Texans over the age 12

needed substance abuse treatment in 2007, yet only 64,000 received it and current funding is only sufficient to

fund prevention programs in 1of every 8 public schools in Texas.

As a board member of (your organization) and/or a

(cite field/profession/local position. Ex: business owner,

mother of 3, person in recovery, etc.), I have witnessed the devastation this disease has on children and families as well

as the burden it places on our local police, jails, courts, schools, social service and healthcare systems. It is arguably the

most pervasive and cross-cutting health and safety issue in Texas.

Substance abuse treatment and prevention program work, but our existing funding does not support the current needs of our

state.

(Insert program or personal prevention/treatment/recovery information about local need and/or a

success story)

OR….

Medicaid coverage for treatment in Texas is very limited and an estimated 2,800 adults and 164 youth are on DSHS waiting

list to receive treatment. Among those who receive treatment, abstinence rates for alcohol increased 43% and abstinence

from other drugs increased by 33%. Numerous studies estimate a greater than 7:1 ratio of benefits to costs for treatment.

School administrators want prevention programs in their schools as evidenced by waiting lists across the state. Two Iowa

State University studies show substance abuse prevention programs are economically beneficial, with a nearly $10 return

for every dollar invested.

The Department of State Health Services has identified the need to increase funding for substance abuse services and

included a $33 million per year exceptional item in their FY2010/11 Legislative Appropriations Request. I urge you to voice

support for this increase. Substance abuse services represent a value driven investment of taxpayer dollars that will result

in savings to the state through reductions in criminal justice, healthcare and increased productivity for Texas employers.

Thank you for your consideration. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at

Sincerely,

Sample Letter To Senator Template