Pubdate: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 Source: Detroit Free Press (MI) Contact: 2003 Detroit Free Press Website: http://www.freep.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125 Author: Carl Allison Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) HELP CURE ADDICTIONS September marks the 14th annual observance of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. It is a fitting time to dedicate ourselves to encouraging alcohol and drug addiction treatment for all those in need, including the millions of Americans who have co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. Treatment is effective, and recovery is possible. A study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association compared treatment for drug dependence, including alcohol, with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and asthma. The study concluded that medical adherence and relapse rates are similar across these illnesses. Drug dependence generally has been treated as if it were an acute illness. Review results suggest that long-term care strategies of medication management and continued monitoring produce lasting benefits. Drug dependence should be insured, treated and evaluated, just like other chronic illnesses. Everyone is invited to join our local efforts to celebrate addiction recovery and health -- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, on Belle Isle. Area high school bands will kick the festivities off. Dignitaries will speak. People who have recovered from alcohol and drug addiction will share their stories. A picnic with games and entertainment will keep the celebration rolling. By supporting treatment for those in need, we can help men, women and youths in our own communities find their way to recovery. Randy O'Brien Director Macomb County Community Mental Health/Office of Substance Abuse Mt. Clemens Still waiting for wins I found the year-to-date win/loss record for the Tigers 3-year run at Comerica Park cited in Tom Walsh's Sept. 9 column, "Suite deals at the ballpark," to be quite interesting. That would give the Tigers a .378 CoPa lifetime record, which is still squarely behind the second-worst team in baseball this year, Tampa Bay. Give us a new ballpark, and we'll build a winning team. Isn't that what team owner Mike Ilitch said? Carl Allison Detroit - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk