Data from a 2005 task force report show that the direct and indirect costs associated with drug and alcohol addiction in Oklahoma outpace the entire cost of running the state government, the Oklahoman reported July 27.

The total cost of $5.8 billion a year to the state includes $1.4 billion in direct costs of treatment, prevention and incarceration activity related to addiction, and $4.4 billion in indirect societal costs resulting from premature death and other harms. According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, substance addiction contributes to 85 percent of all homicides, 80 percent of all incarcerations and 65 percent of all child abuse cases in the state.

State officials say the spending of more than $59 million in state and federal funds to combat addiction has generated some successes, such as a growing influence of drug court programs. But they add that the need is much greater than what present resources serve.

"I'd like for that to double," department deputy commissioner Caletta McPherson said of the current funding. "There are gaps in substance abuse services statewide that I'd like to see us be able to fill. … We need beds in all parts of the state for residential services, for adolescents and adults."

The treatment gap remains a staggering problem in Oklahoma and elsewhere in the country. While state officials estimated that in 2006 a total of 250,000 adults and 31,640 youths needed substance use treatment, the number of clients served in a typical fiscal year hovers around 20,000.

State corrections officials say the problem is particularly acute for low-income citizens. Many remain on long waiting lists for treatment in the community and may not even receive services if they are incarcerated, because of funding constraints in the justice system, said state corrections director Justin Jones.