Pubdate: Fri, 31 Jan 2003
Source: Morning Sentinel (ME)
Copyright: 2003 Morning Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.onlinesentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1474
Author: Richard R. Karges
Note: The author is the chairman of the Maine Substance Abuse Services 
Commission.

MAINE CAN WIN DRUG FIGHT

But Ending Drug and Alcohol Abuse Will Be Hard Work

The alarming rate of drug related deaths in Maine, as recently reported by 
state officials and the media, has caused many in our communities to 
finally step up and take notice. No longer can we deny or ignore that 
alcohol and drug abuse has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives. 
No one is immune to the problem, nor can we isolate it geographically, 
socially, culturally or economically.

Maine's alcohol and drug abuse problem is an ugly reality that we must face 
head on. While we are not alone in this fight, Maine is one state that is 
well positioned to take the lead, if we choose to. Our consolidated efforts 
to this end need to muster the array of resources already in place and 
seriously invest in those that are inadequate or missing.

It is the Substance Abuse Services Commission's belief that the following 
action steps can make an immediate positive difference in Maine's efforts 
to combat alcohol and drug abuse in our communities.

1. Maine policy makers must concede that we, indeed, have a serious problem 
with alcohol and drug abuse and agree to make a concerted commitment, 
measured in both time and resources, to address it.

2. Alcohol and drug treatment services must be a cornerstone of our health 
care reform efforts, both locally and nationally. Research has already 
proven that "addictions treatment . . . will save enormous sums in the long 
run" (Rutgers 2002). This is not to mention scores of lives that will be 
positively affected.

3. A comprehensive inventory of all of Maine's existing resources and 
assets needs to be taken and further consolidated under a single authority 
(i.e. a Cabinet-level Office of Substance Abuse). This single authority 
will assure that resources are maximized and coordinated effectively.

4. Implement initiatives already started at the Maine Statewide Summit on 
Alcohol and Other Drugs, held in December, 2002. These include looking at 
new legislative initiatives, alternative funding sources, peer panels, drug 
courts, involuntary commitment, services to youth, expanding treatment and 
prevention programming, electronic prescription monitoring and broadening 
drug free workplace policies.

5. Involve all stakeholders in the process of addressing our drug and 
alcohol abuse problems to include, schools, medical and pharmaceutical 
professionals, insurance sector, business community, law enforcement, 
courts, treatment providers and the recovering community, among others.

Maine stands at a major crossroads in deciding its fate. The devastating 
impact of alcohol and drug addiction is playing itself out daily in our 
families and our communities.

Despite this troubling trend, it is important to recognize that we do, 
indeed, possess the talent, resource potential and knowledge to effectively 
combat this problem. We know, for example, that substance abuse treatment 
and prevention programs work; only more of such positive initiatives are 
needed. Implementing the above action steps will make an immediate positive 
difference in our campaign to remediate drug and alcohol abuse in our state.
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