Pubdate: Thu, 20 Apr 2000
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2000 Asheville Citizen-Times
Contact:  P.O. Box 2090, Asheville NC 28802
Fax: (828) 251-0585
Website: http://www.citizen-times.com/
Author: Lisa Thurman, MSW, LCSW, CCAS

LACK OF SUBSTANCE-ABUSE TREATMENT JUST ONE OF SOCIETY'S WOES

In reference to last issue's "junkie who couldn't get treatment" [Letters,
April 5], I would like to comment. First, I would like to say that the
workers and administrators at Blue Ridge Mental Health know that substance
abusers need treatment right away. It's the politicians and the public who
don't know or don't care.

Real substance-abuse treatment has almost become extinct in this country,
due to managed care and Medicaid cuts. The flip side is that substance
abusers are being thrown in prison by the thousands. The public pays for it,
one way or another. Do we, the people, want to have real substance-abuse
treatment or imprison people for years, making the situation worse - not to
mention how unjust it is to criminalize an addictive disease?

You already know that the lack of substance-abuse treatment is one of many
problems that society has, and these problems are getting worse quickly.
I'll mention a few other problems, just to bring them into awareness for a
moment: homelessness, lack of affordable housing, sprawling development, air
pollution, biogenetic and chemical farming, political and business
corruption, overdependency on oil, the great disparity of wealth, people
working longer for less, stress on families, violence everywhere (including
schools), overt racism, etc., etc.

How could such a smart, civilized people have so many problems? I think a
problem lies in our disinterest in politics. It's extra work. It's uncool.
We've all heard, "Never talk about politics and religion." But if you live
in a democracy and don't use it, you lose it. I believe we've nearly lost
it.

But it may be possible to reclaim our government (from corporations) and
create a society that we are proud of. It is possible for everyone to have a
home, and to have health care - including mental-health, substance-abuse and
holistic treatment. It is possible to support our young families and reduce
the numbers of people in prison. It is possible to reduce violence on
television, video games, in our homes, and in our community. It is possible
to clean up our food, air and water. But that would take a lot more people
getting involved in - yes, that dirty word again - politics. And I don't
mean just voting, although most people don't even do that. I mean
envisioning a society that you would be proud of, working in a group that
shares your vision, and selecting political candidates who share that vision
as well. I also encourage good leaders who would never, otherwise, consider
running for office to start thinking about running. We need you! Society
desperately needs you!

Back to the problem of substance abuse: If a person who is addicted to
alcohol, methadone or Xanax is withdrawing - and feels like they're dying
and can't get treatment anywhere else - they should go to an emergency room.
People can die, and do die, in withdrawal from those drugs.

Have a great day!

Lisa Thurman, MSW, LCSW, CCAS
Asheville
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