At AA Birthplace, Bush Officials Promote New Treatment Plan June 13, 2003
News Summary
Using the birthplace of the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a backdrop, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) promoted President Bush's new addiction-treatment voucher plan, the Associated Press reported June 9.Dr. Andrea Barthwell, deputy director for demand reduction at ONDCP, and Vermont Gov. James Douglas toured the former hotel where AA founder Bill Wilson was born "in a room behind the bar."
Barthwell talked about Bush's proposed $600 million "Access to Recovery" program, which would provide treatment vouchers to addicted individuals who otherwise could not afford personalized illicit-drug and alcohol treatment services.
"We want to shift our focus to recovery," said Barthwell, a recovering addict. "We want to offer help to those who are suffering."
The three-year program is currently under consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. Under the initiative, healthcare providers, faith-based and other community organizations, workplaces, and schools would be able to help addicted individuals find treatment.
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