Pubdate: Sat, 26 Mar 2005
Source: News-Press (FL)
Copyright: 2005 The News-Press
Contact:  http://www.news-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1133

ADDICTION FUNDS FOR AREA BADLY NEEDED

We hope we don't have to make the case for the value of services to
help people in our society to overcome addictions.

Addiction to alcohol or other drugs is a disease that can be treated
if people can get help.

What people in Southwest Florida may not realize is that this region
is the lowest-funded in the state for substance-abuse services for
adults, and the second-lowest for children.

That would be alleviated somewhat if a $400,000 request for
detoxification services were to survive the legislative budget
negotiations now under way in Tallahassee. The money would allow for
an expansion from 17 detoxification beds to 24 beds at the Southwest
Florida Addiction Services detox unit, few enough given the need for
such services here and around Florida.

If families can't get help, people with problems are sent to jail,
hospital emergency rooms and other places ill-suited to the treatment
of a chronic disease. Using facilities that are not tailored to
treating addictions is more expensive for society as well.

People here need to urge our leaders in Tallahassee not to let this
small but vital request get lost in the last-minute legislative shuffle.

In addition to the members of our legislative delegation, including
Sen. Burt Saunders, R-Naples, Senate Health and Human Services
Appropriations chair, other key committee chairs are:

Sen. Lisa Carlton, R-Sarasota, Senate Ways and Means Committee; Rep.
Aaron P. Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, House Health Care Appropriations;
Rep. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, House budget chief.
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MAP posted-by: Derek