DRUG, ALCOHOL ABUSE PROGRAMS MAY STAY OPEN

BATON ROUGE - Concerns over funding problems that could force the closure
of substance abuse programs across the state might now be resolved, said
the head of state Office of Addictive Disorders. So he's turning his
attention to a bigger problem.

Michael Duffy, acting assistant secretary in the Department of Health and
Hospitals, said he has been told that funding for 124 beds to serve women
with dependent children could be carried over from this year, so those
facilities probably won't be closed. The programs now have a 93 percent
daily use rate.

Even if that funding is continued, the state still falls far short of
meeting the needs of all the people seeking treatment, Duffy said. But if
the Legislature approves a proposed increase in cigarette and alcohol
taxes, more of the needs can be met.

A national study shows Louisiana is meeting only about 8 percent of the
need for adult services, Duffy said, and only 4.5 percent of the adolescent
needs. The national average is about 21 percent.

"Without stabilized funding, it's impossible to close that gap," he said.
"To get to the national average would take $66 million."

The current state funding for the Office of Addictive Disorders is $25
million, but $8.1 million of that is funneled directly to drug courts,
leaving $16.9 million to fund inpatient, outpatient and halfway house
programs. It also receives federal funding.

Across the state, Louisiana has 328 adult and 55 adolescent inpatient beds,
33 medical detox beds, 238 adult and 33 adolescent halfway house offerings
and 57 outpatient programs. Currently, only 29 of the medical detox beds
are open - 20 in New Orleans and nine of the 13 beds in Lafayette.

"The rest of the state has nothing," Duffy Said. "We have a waiting list of
700 to 750 per day waiting for

24-hour care. That's everything from detox to inpatient to halfway houses."

Acadiana Recovery Center administrator Janice Ox says she has not been
informed of any impending reductions. The Lafayette facility contracts with
the state for residential treatment.

The state also operates the Lafayette Alcohol and Drug Abuse Clinic, an
outpatient facility that provides detox and other care.

Those are examples of facilities around the state that his office counts on
to provide services to people who need help but can't get into state
hospitals, Duffy said. Funding for those facilities is safe in the current
proposed budget, "but I don't know what might happen tomorrow."

Duffy is placing high hopes on the Legislature approving bills by Rep.
Sharon Weston Broome, D-Baton Rouge, which would direct more money to
substance abuse treatment by increasing alcohol taxes. The House Ways and
Means Committee debated the bills May 23, but did not vote. The panel is
scheduled to reconsider the bill Tuesday.

As expected, strong opposition was offered by the alcohol industry, but
Duffy said he hopes lawmakers will approve the bills, which would provide
$64 million to address the gap between what Louisiana spends and the
national average for funding substance abuse treatment.