On Thursday, the Florida Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee is poised to adopt a budget that will decimate the adult substance-abuse and mental-health services safety net for up to 140,000 people currently in care. Approval will close the door to any meaningful opportunity for care and recovery from the grips of substance use and mental-health disorders in every community in the state.

Unlike the state House of Representatives and Gov. Scott’s budgets, which fully fund these services, the Senate would reduce funding for adult substance abuse services by $26 million and mental-health services by $71 million. These cuts not only would affect individuals and families, but also return us to a time when the only options available for care were hospitals, jails and prisons.

Decades of progress that have significantly reduced reliance on these expensive and archaic practices will be erased. The quality of life that consumers, families, health professionals and civic leaders have worked so hard to improve and maintain will be set back for years to come.

Contact Senate President Mike Haridopolos at haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov and let him know that these cuts are unacceptable and that the Senate’s budget be aligned with the House and governor’s budgets.

Frank C. Rabbito, senior vice president, WestCare Foundation, Florida Operations, Miami