DRUG WARS

SPRINGFIELD -- Kudos to the Tribune's Ronald Kotulak for his March 15
article, "Rethinking Addiction." It underscored recent research indicating
that genetics and environment play a major role in causing addiction to
alcohol and drugs. This is gratifying for those in the substance abuse
prevention and treatment field, who have worked to debunk the myth that
addiction is a moral choice.

On March 16, Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Howard A.
Peters announced Governor Ryan's executive order strengthening the role of
the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (OASA).

The Executive Order designates OASA as the lead agency for all substance
abuse services for the State of Illinois, provides for direct report to DHS
Secretary Peters, and orders OASA to convene a summit to identify service
and funding gaps in services for young people and make recommendation to the
governor.

Expanding alcohol and drug treatment and prevention services is an essential
step to meeting the goals of reducing youth drug use, successfully reforming
the welfare system, and decreasing crime.

Kim Peck, Interim Director Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Association