Pubdate: Sun, 17 Dec 2006
Source: Casper Star-Tribune (WY)
Copyright: 2006 Casper Star-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.casperstartribune.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/765
Author: Barbara Nordby, Star-Tribune staff writer

DRUG TREATMENT CENTER COULD HAVE WIDE IMPACT

The meth treatment center proposed for Casper would not  only help 
people kick a substance abuse problem, it  could help reduce crime 
and save employers money,  Casper Police Chief Tom Pagel said.

Such a facility was identified in a community study as  the biggest 
gap in services to people with drug  addiction.

"We see this as a resource that is currently not  available to our 
citizens. It completes the circle of  care, if you will," Pagel said.

It costs taxpayers about $100,000 for the average  34-month jail stay 
of someone convicted of a  drug-related crime, but much less to 
provide treatment  for the drug problem that was the root of the 
crime, he  said.

Community support for the project has been "wonderful,"  said Mike 
Huston, director of the Central Wyoming  Counseling Center, where the 
facility would be located.

He is hosting a press conference Tuesday morning to  discuss the 
fundraising efforts.

The goal is to have the $7 million building costs paid  for 
completely by the counseling center and the  community. There have 
been private donations and the  city will vote Tuesday on 
contributing $1 million in  Optional One Percent Tax funds.

The center hopes the Legislature will agree to pay for  the $3.5 
million annual operating costs. The plan has  support from Gov. Freudenthal.

The program will add long-term residential care to  Casper's menu of 
services for people with substance  abuse problems. A stay may be 60 
to 90 days, followed  by transitional care.

The center currently has some residential care, but has  waiting 
lists. Programs around the state also have  waiting lists, and there 
are few options for people who  can't afford the care.

The Central Wyoming Counseling Center is Casper's  oldest such 
facility, around since 1959.

As the city's designated community mental health  center, it is 
partly government-supported and must  provide services to everyone, 
charging based on an  individual's ability to pay, Huston said.

If everything goes according to plan, construction  could start in 
April or May and take 12 to 14 months.

The program would not be for violent criminals, but  rather for 
people who choose on their own to seek  treatment, or for those 
directed there through the  court system, Pagel said.

He hopes early intervention will keep people from  committing crimes, 
or keep them from becoming more  serious criminals.

The program might also provide more of a drug-free work  force to 
Casper businesses, some of which hesitate to  drug test for fear 
there won't be anyone clean to hire.

Pagel said meth is still a big problem in Casper but  seems to have 
leveled off.

"We are starting to see some numbers that indicate  maybe we are at 
the crest," he said, considering drug  arrests, foster placements, 
counseling services and  other indicators.

He believes public awareness is high, but that doesn't  mean the 
problem is near being under control.

"Maybe we have educated the public and discouraged  people from 
trying the drug," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine