A group of elected officials and anti-addiction groups has submitted a request for significant funding hikes for drug treatment and prevention services in Massachusetts, the Newton TAB reported March 15.

The group has requested the near-doubling of funds for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, from $47.6 million in 2006 to $91.2 million in 2007, with most funding going toward detox and "step-down" programs, crisis stabilization, and increased staff salaries.

Governor Mitt Romney is backing a smaller, $11.6 million funding boost.

With 90 percent of inmates at the Essex County correctional facility suffering from alcohol and other drug problems, and heroin deaths rising 76 percent in the state last year, advocates cite long-term savings as the primary benefit of the budget increases. "Savings will occur when we have everyone in treatment," said Democratic Rep. Byron Rushing.

Four addiction parity bills were also introduced by the group, which includes a "treatment-on-demand" bill that provides treatment services to persons without health insurance, and a MassHealth expansion for post-detox inpatient services.