(1) It is the policy of this state that persons with alcohol use disorders and intoxicated persons may not be subjected to criminal prosecution because of their consumption of alcoholic beverages but rather should be afforded a continuum of treatment so they may lead normal lives as productive members of society. The general assembly finds and declares that alcohol use disorders and intoxication are matters of statewide concern.

(2) With the passage of this article 81 at its first regular session in 1973, the forty-ninth general assembly recognized the character and pervasiveness of alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorders and that public intoxication and alcohol use disorders are health problems that should be handled by public health rather than criminal procedures. The general assembly further finds and declares that no other health problem has been so seriously neglected and that, while the costs of dealing with the problem are burdensome, the social and economic costs and the waste of human resources caused by alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorders are massive, tragic, and no longer acceptable. The general assembly believes that the best interests of this state demand an across-the-board and locally oriented attack on the problem of massive alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorders and that this article 81will provide a base from which to launch the attack and reduce the tragic human loss, but only if adequately funded. Therefore, in response to the needs as determined by an ad hoc committee and to assist in the implementation of this article 81 at both the local and state level, the general assembly hereby appropriates money for: Receiving and screening centers and their staffs; medical detoxification; intensive treatment; halfway house care; outpatient rehabilitative therapy; orientation, education, and in-service training; staff for the administration, monitoring, and evaluation of the program; and operating costs for patient transportation.