Section 7-501 - Legislative findings and declaration.

§ 7-501. Legislative findings and declaration.
 

The General Assembly finds and declares that: 

(1) A statewide Youth Suicide Prevention School Program is essential to address the continuing problem of youth suicide throughout the State; 

(2) The youth suicide problem often exists in combination with other problems, including drug abuse and alcohol use; 

(3) A suicide prevention program for young people must emphasize a partnership between educational programs at the State and local levels and community suicide prevention and crisis center agencies; 

(4) It is of vital importance that a statewide Youth Suicide Prevention School Program be established with shared responsibility at both the State and county levels, and that this cooperation shall be a major tool in efforts to achieve the successful prevention of youth suicide; and 

(5) County suicide prevention and crisis center agencies along with local education agencies are best suited for developing and implementing programs for statewide youth suicide prevention. 
 

[1986, ch. 122; 1989, ch. 5, § 1; 1996, ch. 10, § 16.]