Pubdate: Sat, 22 Sep 2007
Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal (FL)
Copyright: 2007 News-Journal Corporation
Contact:  http://www.news-journalonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/700
Note: gives priority to local writers
Author: Mark Fontaine, Florida Voices
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

HARD TO TREAT ADDICTION WITHOUT INSURANCE

The impact of alcohol and other drug use permeates every facet of 
daily life. Assemble 10 individuals in a room and four will be 
directly impacted by substance abuse, whether it be a child expelled 
from school for drug use, a parent self-medicating, a spouse who lost 
a job due to heavy drinking, a loved one killed by a drunken driver 
or an overdose in the emergency room. Another three of those 10 will 
reveal that an uncle, aunt, friend or minister suffered the 
consequences of a substance abuse problem. The troubles associated 
with substance abuse cut equally across all segments of society from 
the rich, famous and powerful to the homeless person living on the 
street. In all of these situations, there remains one common thread 
- -- substance abuse robs each individual affected by its consequences, 
directly or indirectly, of a prosperous and full life.

In Florida, substance abuse problems take a major toll on the health 
and safety of its citizens as well as a fiscal toll on the economy of 
the state. For example:

. One out of every 14 hospital stays includes a person with 
substance-related disorders.

. 70 percent of youths removed by the child welfare system are 
removed as a direct result of a parental substance abuse problem.

. 7,741 Floridians died from drug-related causes last year.

. 41 percent of Florida's traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.

. 70 percent of all Department of Corrections inmates, approximately 
65,000 individuals, have a substance abuse problem.

The irony of the situation is that, due to the emerging science of 
addiction, we know what works to change lives. What is missing is the 
willingness to invest in the substance abuse prevention and treatment 
programs that will change behavior patterns before heavy addiction sets in.

The Department of Children and Families estimates that only 30 
percent of Floridians who need substance abuse treatment are able to 
access treatment in our state.

While research clearly shows that substance abuse treatment saves 
medical and emergency room costs, the insurance industry continues to 
oppose parity legislation so that substance abuse is not treated as 
all other chronic medical conditions, making recovery a difficult and 
costly proposition for those who seek treatment.

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, an 
opportunity to celebrate the miracle of recovery and improve our 
efforts to help those in Florida who seek treatment. The Florida 
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association and our statewide members are 
committed to facilitating the dialogue on how Florida must invest in 
substance abuse prevention and treatment programs and ensure existing 
programs are not cut; working to reduce the negative stigma of a 
substance abuse problem and continuing to implement evidence-based 
prevention and treatment programs that ensure the state's limited 
resources are used wisely.

Each day, individuals enter treatment and recovery support services 
and detour from a path of destruction onto a path of fulfillment. 
Substance abuse prevention and treatment programs are effective. It 
is a wise investment that will save lives and insure a safer Florida.

- ---

Fontaine is executive director of the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse 
Association representing more than 120 substance abuse prevention and 
treatment programs across the state.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom