Pubdate: Fri, 02 Mar 2007
Source: Nevada Appeal (Carson City, NV)
Copyright: 2007 Nevada Appeal
Contact:  http://www.nevadaappeal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/896
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

COUNSELORS: MORE TREATMENT CENTERS NEEDED

While law enforcement continues to arrest and prosecute 
methamphetamine dealers and educate the public about its dangers, 
addiction counselors warned state leaders on Thursday that if more 
money isn't put into treatment, the meth threat will never be gone.

"When someone calls my agency and says I need a bed now, I have to 
say 'Call back tomorrow,'" Mick Hall, clinical director of 
Bristlecone Family Resources, a Reno treatment center, told the newly 
formed Governor's Working Group on Methamphetamine Use in Nevada.

In 2004, 180,000 Nevadans needed drug-addiction treatment and 33,983 
people received it. There are only 659 beds in the state for in-treatment care.

"Make treatment affordable and readily available. Get (them) the 
right treatment at the right time for the right amount of time - a 
minimum of 90 days - anything less is a waste of time," Hall said.

Of those who entered treatment in 2006, 45 percent of adults and 41 
percent of juveniles were recovering from methamphetamine addiction. 
Of the pregnant women who entered treatment facilities, 81.5 percent 
were seeking help for a meth addiction, said Maria Canfield of the 
Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.

Hall said treatment that follows the National Institute on Drug 
Abuse's "13 Principles for Effective Treatment," needs adequate state funding.

He also said in order for the drug addiction to be addressed, 
treatment must also consist of dental care, financial assistance and 
myriad other programs designed to help the person focus on their recovery.

"We are at least three years behind the meth problem," he said.

Others joined in the plea for assistance.

"We need your help," Storey County Sheriff Jim Miller told the 
committee. "Please don't start a program that's going to be earmarked to fail."

Current Bill Drafts That Refer To Methamphetamine

BDR 188: Revises penalties for manufacturing, trafficking and sales 
of methamphetamine.

BDR 381: Makes appropriation to NACO for statewide teaching and 
education outreach programs to prevent methamphetamine use.

BDR 486: Makes various changes concerning methamphetamine use.

BDR 511: Makes various changes to provisions governing use, abuse and 
manufacturing of methamphetamine.

BDR 714: Revises provisions governing the sale or transfer of 
products containing pseudoephedrine or other precursor substances 
used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

BDR 201: Makes appropriation to fund a working group to study 
methamphetamine problem in Nevada.

Current Bills Referring To Methamphetamine

SB 112: Enacts provisions governing the sale of products containing 
materials that are used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and 
other controlled substances.

AB 116: Revises provisions governing crimes involving certain 
controlled substances.

AB 148: Enacts provisions governing the sale of products containing 
materials that are used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and 
other controlled substances.

AB 149: Makes an appropriation to the Division of Mental Health and 
Developmental Services in the Department of Health and Human Services 
for the prevention of the abuse of methamphetamine.

AB 150: Makes various changes pertaining to methamphetamine and other 
controlled substances.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman