HARD TO TREAT ADDICTION WITHOUT INSURANCE

The impact of alcohol and other drug use permeates every facet of
daily life. Assemble 10 individuals in a room and four will be
directly impacted by substance abuse, whether it be a child expelled
from school for drug use, a parent self-medicating, a spouse who lost
a job due to heavy drinking, a loved one killed by a drunken driver
or an overdose in the emergency room. Another three of those 10 will
reveal that an uncle, aunt, friend or minister suffered the
consequences of a substance abuse problem. The troubles associated
with substance abuse cut equally across all segments of society from
the rich, famous and powerful to the homeless person living on the
street. In all of these situations, there remains one common thread
- -- substance abuse robs each individual affected by its consequences,
directly or indirectly, of a prosperous and full life.

In Florida, substance abuse problems take a major toll on the health
and safety of its citizens as well as a fiscal toll on the economy of
the state. For example:

. One out of every 14 hospital stays includes a person with
substance-related disorders.

. 70 percent of youths removed by the child welfare system are
removed as a direct result of a parental substance abuse problem.

. 7,741 Floridians died from drug-related causes last year.

. 41 percent of Florida's traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.

. 70 percent of all Department of Corrections inmates, approximately
65,000 individuals, have a substance abuse problem.

The irony of the situation is that, due to the emerging science of
addiction, we know what works to change lives. What is missing is the
willingness to invest in the substance abuse prevention and treatment
programs that will change behavior patterns before heavy addiction sets in.

The Department of Children and Families estimates that only 30
percent of Floridians who need substance abuse treatment are able to
access treatment in our state.

While research clearly shows that substance abuse treatment saves
medical and emergency room costs, the insurance industry continues to
oppose parity legislation so that substance abuse is not treated as
all other chronic medical conditions, making recovery a difficult and
costly proposition for those who seek treatment.

September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, an
opportunity to celebrate the miracle of recovery and improve our
efforts to help those in Florida who seek treatment. The Florida
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association and our statewide members are
committed to facilitating the dialogue on how Florida must invest in
substance abuse prevention and treatment programs and ensure existing
programs are not cut; working to reduce the negative stigma of a
substance abuse problem and continuing to implement evidence-based
prevention and treatment programs that ensure the state's limited
resources are used wisely.

Each day, individuals enter treatment and recovery support services
and detour from a path of destruction onto a path of fulfillment.
Substance abuse prevention and treatment programs are effective. It
is a wise investment that will save lives and insure a safer Florida.

Fontaine is executive director of the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Association representing more than 120 substance abuse prevention and
treatment programs across the state.