Pubdate: Thu, 26 May 2005 Source: Beverly Citizen (MA) Copyright: 2005 Community Newspapers Inc. Contact: http://www2.townonline.com/beverly/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3553 Author: Cyndi Roy Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) HEALEY OFFERS STRATEGY FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE With substance abuse reaching epidemic proportions in Massachusetts, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey recently unveiled a plan to fund additional treatment services, target methamphetamine sales and called for assistance to school districts that test students for drugs. Massachusetts has some of the highest drug and alcohol abuse rates in the country. The Bay State ranks number one for Oxycontin and heroin use. In 1996, there were 200 opiate-related fatal overdoses, a number that jumped to 449 statewide in 2003. And among teens admitted for substance abuse treatment, they were experimenting with the drug at an average age of 13. There is no single reason behind the rankings, but Healey and other health officials said a persistent denial of the problem likely fuels its prevalence. The lieutenant governor shared the administration's plan with members of the Legislature's new committee on mental health and substance abuse before discussing it at scheduled press conference recently. "We cannot afford to wait any longer to take action on these items," Healey said. The administration's 93-page strategic plan focuses on identifying, treating and preventing drug use in schools. It's something which Healey and a bipartisan group of lawmakers joining her said has long been overlooked. The plan calls for the state to assist communities with the implementation of drug testing on high school students and establishes two "sobriety high schools" in Boston and Springfield, where students recovering from drug addiction could continue their rehab while finishing their education. States like Minnesota have run sobriety high schools for more than a decade, said Sen. Steven Tolman (D-Brighton), co-chairman of the committee. Tolman, who two weeks ago demanded that the administration set a date for releasing its long-awaited plan, joined with Healey to support the proposal. "Anybody who wants to pretend that we don't have a problem with Oxycontin and heroin belongs on Mars," Tolman said. "It is outrageous. Most of the children coming out of detox, when they're put back in their environment, are failing." According to Healey, 90 percent of students who attend a sobriety school after rehab graduate. Conversely, 90 percent of those who come out of treatment programs and go back to their old schools fail, she said. The strategic plan is predicated on legislative approval of $9.1 million included in a supplemental budget filed by the administration earlier this year. Healey said the money would help 6,000 to 8,000 more drug users in need of rehab services, and attract $14.5 million in federal matching funds. Tolman expects lawmakers to approve the funds within the next two to three weeks. The state spends more than $250 million a year on substance abuse treatment programs, with prevention accounting for just 11 percent of the money. But the state's existing system of prevention and treatment is haphazard, Healey said, spread across 13 state agencies that don't communicate with each other. More than 82,000 Massachusetts residents received drug abuse treatment services last year. It's estimated another 40,000 sought treatment but were denied because of a lack of resources, according to a recent Brandeis University study. As part of the plan, Gov. Mitt Romney also filed legislation that gives prosecutors new tools to crack down on methamphetamine. The bill contains a list of chemicals that can be used to manufacture meth, as it is known, and possession of any one, or combination of, these chemicals with intent to manufacture or distribute will constitute a felony offense punishable up to five years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines. "I think all of you probably know the devastation that methamphetamine has been causing in other parts of the country," Healey said. "It has been marching toward us from the West Coast. It's currently devastating the Midwest. We can see that it will soon reach our borders." The plan also includes the creation of an Interagency Council on Substance Abuse and Prevention to coordinate the state's anti-drug efforts. Healey, who will chair the council, said members will convene before the end of the month. Other provisions of the plan include: Implementation of a overdose tracking system in the state's hospitals to determine how many people are in need of services; Expanded detox, step-down, transitional, and residential treatment programs; A statewide education campaign to educate the public on the risks of Oxycontin and other opioids; Counseling programs in emergency rooms, community health centers, and other state agencies; Expanded treatment services for incarcerated individuals. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Corporations of Massachusetts, Inc. (MHSACM), a statewide organization of more than 100 mental health and substance abuse service providers, applauded the strategic plan. "Now the challenge will be to quickly and safely implement the service and capacity enhancement recommendations so that families waiting for services get their loved ones into treatment as soon as possible," said Elizabeth Funk, president and CEO of MHSACM. - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman