Pubdate: Tue, 12 Nov 2002
Source: Rutland Herald (VT)
Copyright: 2002 Rutland Herald
Contact:  http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/892

THE DRUG PROBLEM

The extraordinary public discussion that has been taking place in Rutland 
about the region's drug problem is a result of the constructive, 
community-spirited work of those involved in Rutland United Neighborhoods.

Turnout at RUN's events, including recent community discussions, has been 
high, with people from all parts of the community involved. At one session 
a drug addict was sitting next to the state's attorney whose office had 
prosecuted her case. Police, students, health care workers, parents - all 
have a stake in addressing the problem of drugs. Of course, those with the 
most at stake are the addicts themselves.

The community's efforts to confront the problem of drugs are a necessary 
first step. Acknowledging the problem in its many forms is essential.

For one thing, it is important for people in the community to recognize 
that the abusers in our midst are not an alien population. They are our 
sons and daughters, our neighbors and friends. Because the source of most 
of the hard drugs in the community is Massachusetts, New York or 
Connecticut, dealers and addicts from downcountry have made their way here. 
But there are hundreds of addicts in our communities, and they are mainly 
Vermonters ensnared in their destructive downward spiral.

Recent discussions by RUN have helped the community confront the reality of 
alcohol and drug abuse and the toll it is taking. But talking is not 
enough. Action is needed to confront the problem of drug abuse.

The difficulty of addressing the problem could be seen in previous months 
when members of the community organized to resist establishment of a 
methadone clinic at Rutland Regional Medical Center. For many of the 
addicts in the community, methadone would provide a way to stabilize their 
lives and work toward getting clean. But there were fears in the community 
that such a clinic would attract addicts to Rutland. Opposition from the 
community and lack of money from the state stalled the project.

But it will do no good to acknowledge the problem of addiction and then 
refuse to take the necessary steps to address the problem. It will be 
important for the Rutland community to pay close attention to the 
operations of a new methadone clinic in Burlington. The success or failure 
of the Burlington clinic could either allay or confirm fears among skeptics 
in Rutland.

Meanwhile, state policymakers must recognize that the foundation exists in 
the Rutland community for progress in addressing the drug problem. When he 
was secretary of human services, Cornelius Hogan said that for the state to 
take additional action against drug abuse, communities would have to be 
involved. Rutland is involved. Now is the time for bold action to establish 
the facilities and dedicate the resources to addressing the problem.

A wide spectrum of the community understands the need for more treatment 
options for addicts of all kinds, including alcoholics and heroin addicts. 
The police have been among the most outspoken supporters of expanded 
treatment. They understand their enforcement efforts are futile without the 
resources in the community to break the cycle of addiction.

Gov.-elect James Douglas should be giving serious consideration, not just 
to the expansion of the state police, but to the expansion of a full range 
of treatment options, particularly for young people. Rutland, which is 
establishing a drug court and which has engaged in an exemplary community 
dialogue, could lead the way.
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