Pubdate: Tue, 02 Mar 1999
Source: Sioux City Journal (IA)
Copyright: 1999 Sioux City Journal
Contact:  http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/945
Section: Capitol Correspondent
Author: Kate Thompson

GORDON PRESIDENT SAYS METH TREATMENT WORKS

DES MOINES - Last year, about 2,000 patients went through Gordon Recovery 
Center's substance abuse program, said Kermit Dahlen, president and CEO of 
the Sioux City-based program.

"My guess is that we are seeing 40 percent who have at least meth as one of 
those drugs that is a problem for them," Dahlen said. "Probably even more 
have used meth."

No meth users are being turned away by Gordon Recovery's program, Dahlen said.

"That doesn't mean we are not overcrowded," he said. "My guess is the 
actual waiting time is almost minimal. I don't think it's more than maybe 
48 hours. Our program and my colleagues across the state will do everything 
to find a creative way to get them into services."

Dahlen said meth users require longer treatment, and often longer hospital 
stays, than other substance abusers. A patient who requires hospitalization 
and long-term care may cost around $6,000; others who don't require 
hospital stays can be treated successfully for less, he said.

"If they have to wait (for treatment), they will be out using and causing 
trouble," Dahlen said. "Meth addicts have a tendency to be very violent. 
They have to turn to stealing, robbery, burglary, to find enough money to 
pay for their drugs. It's important that these people get into treament as 
soon as possible."

Dahlen said he hopes the state money will be used both to lengthen 
treatment for those already in programs and to increase the amount 
providers such as Gordon Recovery receive for each patient.

"It's one thing to get $1.5 million," he said. "It's another to make sure 
that $1.5 million actually goes to the programs that are providing care."

Substance abuse treatment is funded by the state through a managed care 
company. That company takes little of the money the state appropriates, 
Dahlen said.

John Cacciatore, policy spokesman for Vilsack, said how the money will 
ultimately be used will be up to the Department of Public Health and will 
be based on where it can do the most good.

Dahlen said some discussions have centered around determining whether meth 
treatment works and possibly funding research programs. But, he said, 
providers already know that treatment is successful.

"It works," he said. "It unquestionably works. There are independent 
studies that say that even if people don't remain abstinent, the amount of 
meth use drops, the number of arrests drops, other associated costs to the 
community decrease dramatically."

Those meth users who do remain clean contribute to society by getting jobs, 
paying taxes and buying rather than stealing, Dahlen said.

"The effective and efficient thing to do is to provide treatment," he said.