Pubdate: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY) Copyright: 2002 Messenger-Inquirer Contact: http://www.messenger-inquirer.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1285 Author: Lydia Carrico Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) CITY CHECKS NEED FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FACILITY An estimated 75 to 80 percent of all the cases that Judge Henry Griffin sees in circuit court are connected to drug and alcohol abuse. And many offenders could benefit from a long-term residential treatment program. But Owensboro lacks adequate treatment facilities for adults and adolescents addicted to drugs and alcohol, officials say. So last week, several met to try to correct that problem. "It needs to be lifted up and given some priority, because it is probably the most serious social problem in this area at this time," Griffin said. "It is growing and not getting better." City Commissioner Olive Burroughs requested the meeting Friday to begin studying whether the area needs more treatment facilities. In May, a group of Owensboro officials will tour a facility in Louisville, The Healing Place, and then meet again in June to reassess needs. Federal funding is available for expanding treatment, Burroughs said. And the city is looking at property to locate a treatment facility, although she would not say where it is. It's still too early to pinpoint exact needs and gaps, but the RiverValley Prevention Center is working with the Kentucky Agency for Substance Abuse Policy, a state program, on a study that should be ready by April, said Gary Hall, senior director at the prevention center. Burroughs said the group that met last week will look at the study when they meet this summer. "It's important that we not stick this issue in a closet any longer," she said. "The very few people who aren't affected (by drugs) are blessed. But I think the majority of people are affected. We need to create an awareness that you don't hide it. It is something that you address to at least make a dent in it." Owensboro does have some treatment services, such as the Regional Chemical Dependency program, formerly RAR in Henderson. It can house 10 inpatients, said Mike Todd, its director of substance abuse services. But it's not at capacity and had only six residents on Tuesday, he said. Todd disputes the need for another facility. He would prefer to see more collaboration with existing services. "Why don't we get together and do something that's collaborative?" Todd asked. "This is a community problem. It goes beyond quick fixes. My issue has always been collaboration." The longer a person is in a treatment program, the better the chance for recovery, said Todd, a certified substance abuse counselor with 16 years of experience. But that doesn't necessarily have to be inpatient treatment. An optimal program may include inpatient treatment at first, then a move toward intensive outpatient therapy. The traditional 28-day inpatient program on which many treatments are based was designed years ago to fit the needs of white alcoholic males, he said. But today's problem user often abuses multiple drugs and alcohol, requiring individualized plans that may include up to 90 days of therapy. Assigning addicts to the same treatment plan would be like doling out the same type of health care to people with different medical conditions, Todd said. "When I'm not at capacity, somebody needs to tell me why we need another residential treatment facility," he said. In addition to the RCD program, services are available at Owensboro Mercy Health System. It has an eight-bed inpatient program for people undergoing detoxification and day treatment programs where patients can spend eight hours in the hospital. Average length of stay for the inpatient services is three to five days, according to information provided by OMHS. Burroughs said the city wants to "see what is out there and what groups are working and work together to make sure we have the best impact." It would also like to design a brochure listing all treatment options to which families and the courts could refer. "I think it's pretty important that we have some inventory done of what is actually available here so that people can have access to it and use it before they get to the point of law enforcement issues," Griffin said. "Many, many people whom I see that we refer to local treatment programs don't make it and then they come back" to court. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh