Ore. Addiction Forum Reveals Need for Treatment September 29, 2004
News Summary
Individuals recovering from addiction and law-enforcement officials were among those who urged Oregon lawmakers to support treatment alternatives to jail, such as drug courts, at a recent hearing, the Salem Statesman Journal reported Sept. 25.
"I can tell you that locking people up who are addicted to methamphetamine is not going to solve the problem," said Alan Levine, a member of the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs and the Clackamas County leader for the Recovery Association Project. "We may need that kind of intervention, but if there's no treatment, there's no solution."The forum, which was held at the state Capitol, was sponsored by the state Department of Human Services and the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs.
According to a federal survey released in August, Oregon is among the top 10 states for illegal-drug use among those aged 12 and older. In addition, the state ranks fourth in illegal-drug use by people aged 26, and older and in misuse and dependence by those aged 18 to 25.
With regards to treatment accessibility, the survey ranked Oregon 45th. For those aged 18 to 25, the state was ranked 49th for treatment access.
Although more than 70 percent of the state's 13,000 inmates have "significant or acute" problems with alcohol and other drugs, the corrections system only has 500 intensive-treatment beds available.
"There are plenty of people who need this kind of treatment and need to see it," said Corrections Department Director Max Williams.
Ann Uhler, a governor's council member and a former program director, said the forum provided an opportunity for people involved in the alcohol and drug addiction field to share information.
"It's such a good sign that the recovery community is coming here and talking," said Uhler.
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