Pubdate: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 Source: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) Copyright: 2008 The Daily Herald Company Contact: http://www.dailyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/107 Author: Neli Vazquez-Rowland ABUSE TREATMENT SAVES MONEY Thank you to members of the General Assembly and the Governor of Illinois for prioritizing and voting to restore funding for programs that address the diseases of substance abuse and alcoholism. By doing so, they have voted to save thousands of lives, save millions of taxpayer dollars in the long-run and capture more than $55 million in federal dollars. Since July, the State of Illinois had cut the budgets for drug and alcohol programs by a disproportionate 43 percent, leaving thousands of vulnerable people and families. Statistics show one in three families are impacted in some way. In the last few months the substance abuse industry, the large but once silent community afflicted with the disease, and constituents at large, galvanized to educate our legislature and the community about the past success of Illinois recovery programs that made these cuts, in essence, penny wise and pound-foolish. Illinois substance abuse successful protocols are being heralded as a National model. Illinois programs are showing improved results in mainstreaming those afflicted with a renewed sense of purpose, productivity and accountability to themselves and others. The funding benefits programs that studies show save $7 for every $1 spent on treatment. In addition, by voting to restore the budget for substance abuse the State of Illinois averted the loss of a dollar for dollar federal match. Well done. NELI VAZQUEZ-ROWLAND Vice President A Safe Haven Foundation Chicago - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath