Alabama lawmakers have approved a plan to spend an additional $6.1 million on addiction treatment next year, appropriating a total of $15.9 million for the coming fiscal year, the Birmingham News reported July 15. Alabama also received $23 million in federal block-grant funds for treatment.

"The Alabama Legislature, the governor's office, other affected state departments, local officials, consumers and advocates are recognizing the devastating impact substance abuse and addiction are having in all areas," said Kent Hunt, associate commissioner for substance abuse at the state Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation. "With this increased awareness, funding is beginning to follow."

However, Hunt said that even the large increase is not enough to cope with growing addiction problems in the state. He said that Alabama currently admits about 25,000 people annually to treatment programs, but about 300,000 need services.

"As you can see, there is a tremendous gap between the numbers needing treatment and those who get treatment," Hunt said. "We are inundated."

Still, the increase marks a big change in Alabama, which in 2002 ranked 49th in the U.S. in per-capita spending to address alcohol and other drug problems. The state also is starting to tie funding to performance measures and provide more targeted care to patients.