Pubdate: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 Source: Detroit Free Press (MI) Copyright: 2001 Detroit Free Press Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125 Website: http://www.freep.com/ Author: Emilia Askari, Free Press Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) ENGLER TO CUT DRUG, ALCOHOL PROGRAM FUNDS Substance abuse counselors say treatments could be disrupted for tens of thousands of recovering alcoholics and drug abusers in Michigan if the state adopts cost-cutting moves proposed by Gov. John Engler. But Engler's budget-writers maintain that their proposed cuts would eliminate bureaucratic fat in fiscal year 2002-2003 without touching the money that funds detoxification programs and other support for substance abusers. "We believe this will allow us to continue to provide quality services even though funding is scarce," said Kelly Chesney, budget office spokeswoman. Engler wants to cut funds for the administration of substance abuse programs by one-quarter -- $1 million of the $4 million currently spent. Managers of the programs say Engler's proposal would change the quality and continuity of services to some of Michigan's neediest citizens: people struggling to break powerful addictions that motivate crimes and ruin lives. "The good work we've been able to do will be compromised," said Calvin Trent, who oversees substance abuse programs for Detroit's Department of Public Health. "We certainly wouldn't want to lose $1 million out of the budget," added David Olin, who heads substance abuse programs in Macomb. Said George Miller, health manager of the Oakland County Health Division, "Obviously, you're going to have a loss of congruency. I have a concern with that." Recovering addict Sheryl Goolsbee agreed, swallowing her daily dose of methadone from Nardin Park. She said she has been off heroin for nine months - -- and she plans to attend tonight's summit to show support for the staff that helped her. "There are other people out there who deserve another chance like I had," she said. In addition to cutting funds for substance abuse administration, the governor's plan would require county mental health agencies to administer substance abuse recovery programs. Under the current system, local governments choose how they spend their share of the approximately $80 million the state spends yearly on substance abuse programs. A handful of counties, including Macomb and Washtenaw, have county mental health agencies to handle substance abuse counseling. Others, like Wayne and Oakland, administer the state programs through city or county health departments. Detroit's substance abuse program is the largest in the state. Shifting it to the county would take about $30 million annually from Detroit's Health Department, said city Councilwoman Barbara-Rose Collins. Collins proposed a resolution passed by the City Council a few weeks ago opposing the governor's plan. Tonight at 6 Collins is hosting a community summit in the City Council's chambers to gather testimonials in support of the city's substance abuse counseling administrators. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk