Pubdate: Sun, 02 Dec 2001
Source: Palm Beach Post (FL)
Copyright: 2001 The Palm Beach Post
Contact:  http://www.gopbi.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333
Author: Scott McCabe

STATE'S DRUG CZAR SAYS HIS BUDGET WILL REBOUND FROM LAWMAKERS' CUTBACKS

WEST PALM BEACH -- While Florida lawmakers slash nearly $1 billion in 
social services this weekend, the state's drug czar Saturday reassured Palm 
Beach County's rehab community that his budget will remain virtually unscathed.

Director of the Florida Office of Drug Control James McDonough told 
supporters of the Comprehensive Alcoholism Rehabilitation Program that he's 
expecting a $6 million, or 2 percent, cut this weekend. But the good news, 
he said, is that the $6 million shortfall will immediately be replaced with 
money from a state trust fund.

McDonough was the keynote speaker at CARP's holiday gala, which also 
honored Palm Beach County Drug Court Judge Nelson Bailey, Riviera Beach 
City Council Chairman Edward Rodgers and state substance abuse director 
Kenneth A. DeCerchio.

"I don't want to sound overly optimistic until the final vote," McDonough 
said of the special budget session, "but we're actually coming out of this 
in pretty good shape."

CARP supporters clapped at the news.

"If that's all it is, we'd be grateful," said CARP Executive Director 
Robert Bozzone. CARP, one of two treatment centers in Palm Beach County 
used by the state, had already lowered its budget by 10 percent in 
anticipation of the state cuts.

CARP provides care to more than 6,500 alcoholics and drug addicts 
throughout Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties each year. In January, 
it'll open two new buildings to expand its yearly treatment to 8,000.

Gov. Jeb Bush has vowed to cut the amount of drug use by 50 percent by 
2005. McDonough said the 2-year-old drug control office is ahead of 
schedule, lowering the statewide drug use about 16 percent in its first year.

Rodgers praised the CARP and its supporters.

"We're talking about chemical terrorism in the news," Rodgers said, "I see 
chemical terrorism every day on the street corner. This is just as 
dangerous as the foreign terrorism. This fight is just as important."
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