INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY BY DEFEATING ADDITION

Few social issues are as puzzling and frustrating as drug abuse and
addiction. As a nation, we have spent billions of dollars on this
major social and health problem.

For all of our efforts, drugs still find their way into our schools,
offices, factories and homes. Seventy percent of those incarcerated
have a history of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. Many of us
know people addicted to drugs and alcohol. Some of us know the parents
of addicted children who are beside themselves with fear, anger and
frustration.

Debates about the nature of addiction and what to do on and on. People
continue to question whether addiction is a disease or simply a matter
of will power. Sometimes it may seem we have made no progress at all.

In the past 20 years, medical science has made extraordinary strides
in learning about substance abuse and the nature of addiction.
Addiction has been identified as a disease with very specific
characteristics, and significant progress has been made in the
treatment of this disease.

Scientists have identified the neural circuits that include the
actions of known drugs of abuse, and specified the common pathways
that are affected by most drugs. They have a substantial understanding of
the biochemistry of drug use at the cellular level. They are
making progress on the development of addictions medications.

Today we are applying this good medical research to our substance
abuse and addictions prevention and treatment efforts.

In concert with advances in science, there have also been improvements in
clinical treatment. We have learned that addiction is a
chronic, relapsing illness, characterized by compulsive drug seeking
and use.

Viewing addiction as a chronic, relapsing disorder means that a good
treatment outcome results in a substantial decrease in drug use and
long periods of abstinence with only occasional re- lapses.

In other words, addiction has many of the same characteristics and
requires the same medical approach as other common diseases such as
hypertension and diabetes. Such diseases can be managed, not cured.
And, just as with diabetes and hypertension, addiction lends itself to
successful management. Untold numbers of people recovering from
addiction are now leading successful, productive lives, raising
families and contributing to their communities.

These success stories are living proof that treatment for substance
abuse and addiction is effective. It has proven effective for people
of all races, genders and ages.

The bottom line is that we need to increase our capacity to help the
number of people who are in need of treatment.

There are many ways that we in Santa Barbara are supporting treatment
in our community. One effort is the innovative treatment study under
way at UCSB under the direction of Dr. Larry Beutler, who is finding
and testing new and more effective treatments for substance abuse
and depression. The study is currently taking patients, for little or
no fee, who use cocaine or meth- amphetamines and who suffer from depression.

This is National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Recovery Month, sponsored by
the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA). Several agencies in Santa Barbara are also
participating in this national effort.

UCSB's Graduate School of Education, Zona Seca and the Glendon
Association will be hosting a free Education Day at Borders Books on

Thursday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The day will include
information on local treatment agencies and facts about prevention and
treatment addiction at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. also at Borders. We hope
you can attend this information day.

There are many ways you can participate: - If you are an employer, you
can insist that the health insurance policies you purchase for
employees include equal coverage for substance abuse. A report
prepared for SAMHSA shows that parity for substance abuse treatment
would raise the cost of family health insurance coverage by only 0.2
percent.

Companies with programs in place to respond to employee needs for
counseling and treatment reap the benefits of reduced medical claims,
absenteeism, corporate liability and disability costs. They often see
productivity rise while creating a healthier, safer
environment.

- - As a parent, encourage substance abuse and addiction education
programs in elementary schools. We should urge that special attention
be paid to middle schoolers because drinking and drug use often begin
among this age group.

We can support continuing alcohol and drug education in high schools
and stimulate and support recreational activities and programs to help
keep young people active and involved in positive pursuits.

- - Ask your health professionals, especially those engaged in primary
care, to routinely screen all patients for substance abuse disorders,
to ask about substance abuse in the context of lifestyle questions,
and to screen adolescents for substance abuse every time they seek
medical attention.

- - We should bring the success of treatment to the attention of our
churches and synagogues by asking for help on this critical issue. We
can ask that treatment of substance abuse problems in our community be
acknowledged as a priority and that our religious and lay leaders
devote time and effort to this concern.

Substance abuse is not an easy problem. There are no easy answers. But
there is more medical understanding, real progress in a variety of
effective treatment models that can be brought into play to harness
this disease.

Addiction treatment is an investment in our communities. When
we make that investment, our communities and the people and
children who live in them reap the benefits.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------
Jina Carvalho is with the Glendon Association, a Santa
Barbara non-profit organization whose mission is dealing
with drug addiction, child abuse and violence.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady