Pubdate: Sat, 08 May 2004 Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY) Copyright: 2004 Messenger-Inquirer Contact: http://www.messenger-inquirer.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1285 ARE WE COMMITTED TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE FIGHT? Messenger-Inquirer City and county leaders say they denied Community Solutions' request for funding through the wellness initiative because of turf issues that exist among substance abuse groups. There's more than a little irony to that reasoning, particularly coming from local governments who have engaged in numerous "turf" battles and continue to do so to this day. But it also shows a lack of understanding about the substance abuse efforts taking place in this county. And it even raises questions about just how committed some of our local officials are to addressing an obvious and growing problem. Community Solutions asked for $2.8 million (later reduced to $2.2 million) of the $7.8 million in assets that local governments received from the dissolution of ODCH Inc. It received nothing and was the only one of the seven finalists not to be funded. As a token gesture, the city and county put aside $300,000 for substance abuse prevention to be handed out later. Some "turf battles" do exist and need to be worked out. But the issue causing the disagreement is but one portion of Community Solutions' proposal, and it was caused by only two providers who were looking to protect their own interests. What about Community Solutions' efforts to address drug treatment for juveniles, which is currently nonexistent in Daviess County? Or the efforts that the group continues to make in bringing prevention, treatment and law enforcement providers together to gauge needs and educate the public? The Healing Place, the one area of the proposal that did cause some controversy, is not a new idea, nor is Community Solutions the first to bring it up. It's a nationally recognized program in Louisville that has been replicated in places such as Lexington, Athens, Ga., and Raleigh, N.C., and is considered a Models That Work program by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Two years ago, respected leaders such as former City Commissioner Olive Burroughs and then-City Manager Ron Payne looked into the possibility of bringing The Healing Place to Owensboro. And their efforts led to a commitment to filling the gaps that exist in substance abuse care. Those gaps still exist today, and we're fortunate to have a group like Community Solutions working to address these issues. It's just a shame some local officials don't see it that way. Mayor Waymond Morris said that some of the $300,000 put aside could potentially go to schools' work on a consolidated curriculum for drug abuse prevention. "... I feel like local school systems are in better position to deal with curriculum than others." We wonder whether Morris even understands how the schools reached the point of considering the consolidated curriculum. It started through an effort by local prevention specialists, with which Community Solutions was involved, to get schools to participate in a survey to determine whether -- and how often -- students were using drugs and alcohol. That data led to discussions on how to address the problem and eventually to the local Agency for Substance Abuse Policy board helping to fund a consolidated prevention curriculum. Taking nothing away from the schools, but without Community Solutions and the work of many throughout the prevention community, there would be no consolidated prevention program. If city and county officials don't fully understand the problems that exist with substance abuse, or recognize the groups trying to do something about it, then that can be changed with more education. If they simply aren't interested in making a financial commitment to combating substance abuse, then we have a much greater problem -- one voters should take into account in coming elections. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin