GORDON PRESIDENT SAYS METH TREATMENT WORKS

DES MOINES - Last year, about 2,000 patients went through Gordon Recovery
Center's substance abuse program, said Kermit Dahlen, president and CEO of
the Sioux City-based program.

"My guess is that we are seeing 40 percent who have at least meth as one of
those drugs that is a problem for them," Dahlen said. "Probably even more
have used meth."

No meth users are being turned away by Gordon Recovery's program, Dahlen said.

"That doesn't mean we are not overcrowded," he said. "My guess is the
actual waiting time is almost minimal. I don't think it's more than maybe
48 hours. Our program and my colleagues across the state will do everything
to find a creative way to get them into services."

Dahlen said meth users require longer treatment, and often longer hospital
stays, than other substance abusers. A patient who requires hospitalization
and long-term care may cost around $6,000; others who don't require
hospital stays can be treated successfully for less, he said.

"If they have to wait (for treatment), they will be out using and causing
trouble," Dahlen said. "Meth addicts have a tendency to be very violent.
They have to turn to stealing, robbery, burglary, to find enough money to
pay for their drugs. It's important that these people get into treament as
soon as possible."

Dahlen said he hopes the state money will be used both to lengthen
treatment for those already in programs and to increase the amount
providers such as Gordon Recovery receive for each patient.

"It's one thing to get $1.5 million," he said. "It's another to make sure
that $1.5 million actually goes to the programs that are providing care."

Substance abuse treatment is funded by the state through a managed care
company. That company takes little of the money the state appropriates,
Dahlen said.

John Cacciatore, policy spokesman for Vilsack, said how the money will
ultimately be used will be up to the Department of Public Health and will
be based on where it can do the most good.

Dahlen said some discussions have centered around determining whether meth
treatment works and possibly funding research programs. But, he said,
providers already know that treatment is successful.

"It works," he said. "It unquestionably works. There are independent
studies that say that even if people don't remain abstinent, the amount of
meth use drops, the number of arrests drops, other associated costs to the
community decrease dramatically."

Those meth users who do remain clean contribute to society by getting jobs,
paying taxes and buying rather than stealing, Dahlen said.

"The effective and efficient thing to do is to provide treatment," he said.