IF THE STATE WROTE TO DRUG ADDICTS . . .

A letter that state officials might send to the 16,000 drug addicts
who were supposed to be helped, beginning July 1, by a new $10.5
million treatment program.

Dear Drug Addict:

As you've surely noticed by now, there's been a change of plans. We
hope you can hang on without help until spring or summer next year,
when our new treatment program should get under way.

Sorry about the delay. Your patience is appreciated. It would have
been nice to have begun your treatment last July, as planned, but
these things happen.

Above all, don't commit any crimes. Don't do anything you'll regret.
Just hang on.

You are probably wondering why we can't help you now. Many are
blaming the program's delay on Gov. Jim Gilmore.

Granted, the governor attempted to kill the program last December to
save the money. But because no new budget was approved, the program
remained on the books. So don't worry. The money is there, more or
less, in a sense.

The program is supposed to cost $5.1 million in state funds and $5.4
million in federal matching money. But we don't get the federal money
until we spend the state money, which we're not doing.

Let us assure you, though, that this delay has nothing to do with the
state's need to cut programs in order to fund the governor's car-tax
plan. Not in the least.

The reasons for the delay are that the Department of Medical
Assistance Services is busily revamping the state children's health
insurance program and preparing for a new computer program next
spring.

In other words, we've prioritized our efforts, and you lost out. You
weren't deemed important enough, given our limited means.

Let's be frank: You shouldn't have used drugs in the first place.
Next time, think. If you want treatment now, go somewhere else. Like
California.

Or wait. A year will pass faster than you might think. Then,
together, we'll take on your addiction and whip it. You are important
to us -- though, as you've probably gathered, not really important.

If you do screw up, prison space will be available immediately, no
matter the cost.