CONCERNS AIRED AT DRUG FORUM

Area residents told state officials Wednesday the Legislature has failed to
provide adequate funding for addiction prevention and treatment.

They spoke at a forum sponsored by the state Office for Addictive Disorders.

"Once again healthcare is losing when it comes to state funding," said
Cliff Thomas of the non-profit organization Empowering Communities of America.

He cited the tobacco settlement as an example of the state's apparent
disinterest in healthcare.

The money came at the expense of the health of smokers, he said, but little
has gone to tobacco prevention and smoking cessation programs.

Allen Ward, program manager for the OAD, said the state only serves 9
percent of those in need of addiction treatment and services.

"There are private agencies out there," he said, "but not enough to serve
the other 91 percent."

He said cuts to Medicaid reimbursements have forced many private
organizations to shut down, leaving many without the treatment they need to
overcome addiction to drugs, alcohol or gambling.

"There's not enough funding, and there's not enough resources," he said.

David Phillips, of River of Life Church in Winnsboro, said he'd like to see
more cooperation between state and faith-based organizations.

Linda Christmas of the non-profit Family Connections, Family Matters,
Family Ties, said she'd like to see a more holistic approach to addiction
recovery that focuses on children's needs.

She said children of people addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling are
often neglected.

"It's a community problem," she said. "It's not just the problem of the
parent, and it's not just the problem of the child. These are children and
families that impact all of us, so we've got to do something."

Gloria Monroe, regional administrator for the OAD, said she hopes the forum
will spur the community to unite to better prevent and treat addictions.

"What I would like to see is a community coalition coming together where we
can work in a turf-free area on a specific problem," she said.