Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jan 2011
Source: Ledger, The (Lakeland, FL)
Copyright: 2011 Carl Reed
Contact:  http://www.theledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/795
Author: Carl Reed

TREAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL ILLNESS TO HELP CUT FLORIDA'S BUDGET

The state has a budget deficit. One area where large savings can be 
found is in providing effective community treatment rather than 
incarceration. Florida has more than 100,000 in 60 prisons and plans 
to build 10 more. There are thousands more in county jails.

The Florida Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corp. reports 66 
percent of the inmates have substance-abuse problems and many are 
mentally ill. Few receive badly needed treatment. A criminal record 
is difficult to overcome.

Florida ranks 16th in the nation in incarceration and 48th in mental 
health treatment per capita funding.

Treatment works, two examples:

Florida Assertive Community Treatment Teams provide intensive 
treatment for the most severely mentally ill, 24/7, resulting in a 75 
percent reduction in hospitalization and incarceration. Just 10 teams 
in the whole state exist. Many more are needed.

The Polk County Drug Court jail diversion and community treatment 
program reports an 86 percent graduation rate and a 14 percent 
recidivism rate after six years vs 67 percent of general prison population.

The state now spends $2.3 billion each year operating 137 correction 
facilities and $3.6 billion more is planned building and operating 10 
more prisons.

Gov. Rick Scott promises to cut wasteful spending. Increasing funding 
for community treatment for mental health and substance-abuse 
services will reduce the need for more prisons, save lives, increase 
public safety and reduce costs to taxpayers.

CARL REED

Lakeland
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