Pubdate: Wed, 02 Apr 2003 Source: Rutland Herald (VT) Copyright: 2003 Rutland Herald Contact: http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/892 Author: Tom DePoy Note: Rep. Tom DePoy, a Republican, is a member of the House from Rutland. FIGHTING THE DRUG WAR Substance abuse has been a problem in the state of Vermont for quite some time. It is only recently that it has become a hot topic in our conversations, newspapers, and politics. The widespread use of heroin and cocaine have had a tremendous impact on the way we view substance abuse. In the past, alcohol was by far and away the most abused substance in Vermont. It still is, however the criminal acts that heroin and cocaine incur affect us all. Break-ins, thefts, and even weapons charges are associated with hard-core drug abuse. There are several things that we have begun to do to try to combat these things. However, we need more help. The first bill introduced in the House this year is designed to coordinate all the substance abuse treatments and money by creating a new department called the Department of Substance Abuse and Recovery. The idea is to eliminate the duplicative services and spending and create one place where all substance abuse issues will be taken care of. The bill passed its first test in the Health and Welfare Committee and is currently being reviewed in Government Operations. The bill faces many uncertainties, most important of which is funding. Gov. Jim Douglas is in the process of a much needed reorganization of the Agency of Human Services, and just where a new department would fit is hard to say. The governor's plan for substance abuse is called DETER (Drug Education Treatment Enforcement Recovery), and it will pump an estimated $4.5 million into the battle against substance abuse. Recently, Governor Douglas announced his intention to open a treatment facility in the state that will alleviate the need to send addicts to out-of-state facilities such as Conifer Park in New York. If treatment is done in-state, we can control costs, ensure access, and keep our tax dollars here. Our law enforcement people are doing a good job getting the big-time dealers off the streets, but the local people are the ones that would benefit from having a treatment center nearby. Crucial to their recovery is a strong support network which we currently don't have. Governor Douglas has stated his intention to visit one of our citywide RUN (Rutland United Neighborhoods) meetings very soon. He'll be explaining his DETER proposal as well as looking for some guidance on how to proceed with the issue of substance abuse prevention. Please watch for date and time of this very important event. Your input and help will be crucial. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom