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Addicted W. Va. Residents Tax State Psychiatric Hospitals
August 27, 2004

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News Summary

West Virginia's Health and Human Resources Secretary Paul Nusbaum is calling for immediate legislative action to address overcrowding in the state's two psychiatric hospitals, noting that more addicted individuals are being admitted, the Beckley Register-Herald reported Aug. 24.

According to Nusbaum, residents addicted to alcohol and other drugs are taxing the state-run facilities. "And it's costing us a fortune," he said.

More addicted individuals are being sent to the state hospitals as a result of a change in state law that made it easier to commit people. Prior to the law change, the mental hygiene commissioner was charged with determining whether an addicted person should be involuntarily committed.

Nusbaum told the Joint Committee on Government and Finance that action should not be delayed until the 2005 legislative session.

Sen. William Sharpe (D-Weston) recommended that the panel start on remedial legislation immediately. A proposal could be ready within 30 days.

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