Pubdate: Thu, 29 Nov 2012 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2012 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: Suzanne Miller Page: 23A FINDING A SOLUTION TO HEROIN ADDICTION "Drug's fierce hold gripped woman till her death at 22," Nov. 26 news story. My heart goes out to the family of Amanda Landry. I understand the pain, frustration and devastation her adoptive parents experienced trying to help their daughter get clean. How many more young people must die before we change the way we view and treat addiction? How many more parents have to receive the news that their son or daughter overdosed and died needlessly because adequate treatment was unavailable due to lack of knowledge, resources or health insurance? My daughter once roamed the same streets of Denver, addicted to the same insidious, soul-destroying drug. After several years of begging and pleading with health insurance companies, social services, police, treatment providers, etc., for help, I came to the sobering realization that my daughter would not survive unless I borrowed the money to pay for her treatment. Today, my daughter is alive and well because she accepted the gift of treatment at a holistic, nontraditional treatment facility in California. Treatment works, but it is costly, and most health insurance agencies do not cover residential treatment or provide emotional support to the family members of substance users. As an addictions counselor, I have witnessed many individuals turned away from detox and treatment because they do not have the funds to pay for the services that will inevitably save their lives. Addiction is a medical condition that requires treatment, yet it is still perceived as a moral issue. An ounce of prevention (treatment) could save a pound of cure (skyrocketing medical costs due to untreated substance abuse). So what is the solution? We need to replace our egos and judgment with loving kindness and resources to treat addictions. Perhaps the millions of dollars in profit drug dealers and pharmaceutical companies make could be utilized for funding treatment to save human lives. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt