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DrugScreening.org


 
N.Y. Cuts Funding for Treatment Programs Aimed at Ex-Offenders
November 10, 2008

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News Summary

Massive state budget cuts are leaving some New York ex-convicts without addiction treatment, the New York Times reported Nov. 7.

The state Division of Parole will be ending its drug-treatment programs at the end of November. In addition, the Department of Corrections did not renew an annual contract with prominent drug-treatment facility, Stay'n Out that aids ex-convicts in their transition from prison to communities. A total of $8.6 million in contracts has been cut.

A spokesperson said that the corrections department will continue funding a drug-treatment program inside prisons, which serves 11,000 inmates, costing the state $20 million a year – the more "cost effective" alternative, according to Kriss.

"It is a panicky response," said Harry K. Wexler, who conducts research for the National Development and Research Institutes, a New York-based nonprofit. "They are cutting their nose off to spite their face." Wexler's research suggests that community drug-treatment programs halve re-arrest and re-incarceration rates over five years.

The state's Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services will receive an additional $2 million for parolees to offset the cuts, said Matt Anderson, a spokesman for the state's Division of the Budget. "With the state facing record budget deficits, the unfortunate reality is that there will be many worthy programs with laudable goals that will experience reductions in funding," he said.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by MeghanH@Stonehill on 04 Dec 08 01:01 PM EST
I strongly disagree with "Dado's" comment that "treatment never works and never has worked." Drug treatment DOES work and although it takes time, and sometimes relapses before it is effective, it is extremely beneficial to everyone in the long run. Drug addiction treatment is cost-effective in reducing drug use. Treatment is less expensive than alternatives, such as not treating addicts or simply incarcerating addicts. The average cost for 1 full year of methadone maintenance treatment is approximately $4,700 per patient, whereas 1 full year of imprisonment costs approximately $18,400 per person. I can't believe that NY would cut programs for treatment AFTER inmates are released from jail. This is when they need the treatment the most. When the temptation for the high of the drug is easily accessible once released from jail, addicts need a treatment program to turn to for help. Having them end up back in jail is just more expensive for everyone.

Posted by Marge on Nov 12,2008 on 12 Nov 08 04:59 PM EST
I provide a OP CHEM DEP treatment program to a county jail for over a year now. These men in the program are so greatfull to have the programing in the jail. They have written to the powers that be to thank them for implmenting this chance for them. Do they all stay clean? No but they are welcome to come back into the program when they return to jail. They are then encouraged to look at choices made and what they learned. I work hard to get them Rx if needed for MH issues. They have a chance to go to a sober house from jail and come to our community OP program to finish out their Tx experience. To do away with the TX option while they are incarserated is a travesty. What better place to intervine.

Posted by PWK on 12 Nov 08 04:23 PM EST
Doesn't anybody edit the tripe that gets posted on this site? ega

Posted by Jim Sharp on 12 Nov 08 02:44 PM EST
Cutting addiction treatment funding is one of those "penny wise and pound foolish" decisions. We know that every dollar invested in treatment saves society up $11 in other costs (medical, incarderation, lost wages, etc.) Research-based addiction treatment is extremely effective when properly funded and executed. Unfortunately, we've typically funded only episodic treatments for a chronic illness that requires ongoing case management and then we conclude that treatment is useless.

Posted by Dado on 12 Nov 08 02:14 PM EST
great news, indeed! treatment never works and never has worked. jt is not advocating for anybody other than the rehab kings that pay them to produce failure they call harm reduction. so a case of beer drinker changes over to lite beer and cuts weight is counted as success. have they recovered their pre-first use state of mind that did not ceaselessly hound them to drink? sober is a mind that doe not tell its owner to drink, just like normal people and us, till the day we took our first drink. jt and treatment fail to produce that so they redfined success as a lifelong series of relapses and rehabs. does treatment work? ask yourselves that, to the mirror. were it not for the love of money -- you'd level with suffering people and their families or say -- i can't continue to take your money. like you do YOUR friends and YOUR family members. shalom.

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