SUBSTANCE ABUSE, CRIME LINK STAUNCH

A Study Also Says The State Is Doing Far Too Little About It

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A clear link has been made for the first time between
substance abuse and juvenile crime, and Oklahoma is doing far too
little to address the problem, two key House lawmakers say.

Rep. Don Ross, D-Tulsa, said it has been known for some time that
juveniles who use drugs and alcohol are more likely to get into
trouble such as driving under the influence, gang activity, sexual
promiscuity and law breaking.

But Rep. Billy Mitchell, D- Lindsay, said it wasn't known until
recently just how big a role drugs and alcohol play in aberrant
juvenile behavior.

Mitchell said a recent study by the Office of Juvenile Affairs shows
that 41 percent of the most serious offenders in Oklahoma's juvenile
system suffer from substance abuse problems.

"This marks the first time we have a real picture of the link between
substance abuse issues and juvenile offenders," Mitchell said. "We
must provide successful substance abuse treatment to help stop this
criminal behavior among Oklahoma's youth."

According to figures released by Ross and Mitchell, state efforts have
fallen far short.

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health estimates that 20,000
Oklahoma teenagers are in need of drug and alcohol treatment.

But according to the department, just 3,348 teens -- only 17 percent
of those who need treat ment -- got any during the last fiscal year.

Substance abuse assistance that is available to young people includes
residential, halfway house and outpatient treatment, early
intervention and juvenile drug courts.

Ross said the state is spending a little more than $2 million on
specialized programs for treating children and adolescents.

"That's less than 5 percent of the $43 million this state spends on
all substance abuse programs through the Mental Health Department,"
Ross said.

He said that according to a 1998 study published in the Journal of
Quantitative Criminology, it costs society about $2 million for each
youth who drops out of school and leads a life of drug abuse and crime.

"That is equal to the amount spent annually (by mental health) for all
adolescent substance abuse treatment," Ross said.

He is chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee for
Health and Social Services. Mitchell is chairman of the Subcommittee
for Human Services. Those two panels would play key roles in any
effort to upgrade funding for adolescent drug and alcohol treatment.

"I'm sure a concerted effort will be made next session to put more
money into those programs," Mitchell said. "The problem is there may
not be much growth money."

However, Mitchell said it might be possible to increase funding for
juvenile drug and alcohol treatment by tapping the so-called state
rainy day fund.