News (Media Awareness Project) - US TX: Editorial: Detox Center To Open |
| Title: | US TX: Editorial: Detox Center To Open |
| Published On: | 2001-03-15 |
| Source: | El Paso Times (TX) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-01 23:18:15 |
DETOX CENTER TO OPEN ADOLESCENTS' CENTER SHOULD BE NEXT GOAL
El Paso will have a drug and alcohol detoxification program for the poor
once again. The news is more than good; it could be life-saving for the
estimated 900 indigent area residents who seek state-funded treatment for
substance abuse.
The detox program, which is expected to accept clients by summer, will be
operated by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. It'll be funded
primarily by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
El Paso truly needs such a program that is accessible to low-income, or
no-income, people. Drugs are easily available in the area because El Paso
remains a major drug-smuggling corridor.
The 15-bed to 20-bed detox program will be housed on the now-empty third
floor of the El Paso Psychiatric Center. It's in the same compound with
neighboring Thomason Hospital and Tech's health center. This is a logical
partnership. Tech has the staffing expertise and resources to oversee such
a program -- and to do it with integrity and efficiency.
It was a disappointing blow, and a health threat, to the community last
fall when Casa Blanca Therapeutic Communities lost its state funding after
the TCADA determined the organization violated federal tax laws and misused
about $530,000 in state funds.
Community health advocates, and especially state Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El
Paso, have been urging the creation of a new detox program. Chavez pushed
hard in Austin to get the program funded. Detox services for the poor are
vital to the well-being of the community. They not only help save
individual lives and careers, they can keep families from being torn
asunder by the devastating effects of addiction.
The next focus for the health community should be the establishment of a
public detox center for adolescents. Good news may be on the horizon there,
too. The West Texas Council, which offers substance-abuse treatment and
education programs, is considering a youth detox center. The TCADA should
work with the council to establish such a program.
El Paso will have a drug and alcohol detoxification program for the poor
once again. The news is more than good; it could be life-saving for the
estimated 900 indigent area residents who seek state-funded treatment for
substance abuse.
The detox program, which is expected to accept clients by summer, will be
operated by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. It'll be funded
primarily by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
El Paso truly needs such a program that is accessible to low-income, or
no-income, people. Drugs are easily available in the area because El Paso
remains a major drug-smuggling corridor.
The 15-bed to 20-bed detox program will be housed on the now-empty third
floor of the El Paso Psychiatric Center. It's in the same compound with
neighboring Thomason Hospital and Tech's health center. This is a logical
partnership. Tech has the staffing expertise and resources to oversee such
a program -- and to do it with integrity and efficiency.
It was a disappointing blow, and a health threat, to the community last
fall when Casa Blanca Therapeutic Communities lost its state funding after
the TCADA determined the organization violated federal tax laws and misused
about $530,000 in state funds.
Community health advocates, and especially state Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El
Paso, have been urging the creation of a new detox program. Chavez pushed
hard in Austin to get the program funded. Detox services for the poor are
vital to the well-being of the community. They not only help save
individual lives and careers, they can keep families from being torn
asunder by the devastating effects of addiction.
The next focus for the health community should be the establishment of a
public detox center for adolescents. Good news may be on the horizon there,
too. The West Texas Council, which offers substance-abuse treatment and
education programs, is considering a youth detox center. The TCADA should
work with the council to establish such a program.
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