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� � s 5. over not less than two years, and preferably three years; 6. the ownership is held by the Mental Health Center, Inc.; 7. we are guaranteed 25.6% of the substance abuse beds; 8. the contract must have a reverter clause so that if the property ceases to be used as a drug rehabilitation center,, is taken over by a group other than the Mental Health Center Inc., or if the Mental Health Center ceases to exist, our equity in the property will be returned to us. DEFENDANTS CONVICTED OF DRUG CHARGES COULD NOW BE FORCED TO SANTE UPS FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS County commissioners will have two new sources of revenue to tap for funding drug abuse treatment programs as the result of bills passed by the 1988 Legislature. But both programs are optional and require approval by county commissioners -- and endorsement by judges -- to be implemented. Because county officials are in the process of drawing up budgets for their 1988-89 fiscal year, now is the time to discuss these alternative funding sources with local judges and county commissioners. one new source of potential funding is included in the omnibus Crime Prevention Bill. It allows judges to assess double the fine currently authorized for defendants convicted of either felony or misdemeanor drug charges. For example, a person fined $1,000 for a drug law violation could be assessed an additional $1,000. The special fine would go into a local drug abuse prevention and treatment trust fund to be administered by the county commission.. County officials would make "assistance grants" from the trust fund to aid local treatment or prevention programs... Another bill (HB 1614) allows counties to impose a $15 surcharge on anyone found guilty of a misdemeanor involving drugs or alcohol. Revenue from the surcharge would be allocated to substance abuse programs based on criteria set by HRS. It appears that this approach would raise considerably less money than the double fine assessment. Richard L. Mills, Executive Director of Mental Health Center, Inc., presented their proposal for the purchase of the Sloan buildings and land for the purpose of a drug rehabilitation facility. He introduced Patricia O'Bracken, president of the Indian River Community Mental Health Center, and Vince Gorham, president of the Indian River Foundation for Mental Health. Mr. Gorham emphasized that they did not go out and solicit this property; Mr. Sloan came to them with the offer because he knows the drug problem firsthand, his daughter being a victim of 4 Boa 73 210 'JL 12 1998