COUNTY TO BEEF UP ALCOHOL, DRUG SERVICES

San Mateo's poor ranking prompts $4.3 million remedy

Stung by a report that ranked San Mateo County's drug and alcohol treatment
services near rock bottom, supervisors committed yesterday to a seven-year,
$4.3 million system overhaul.

Despite its affluence, the county scored poorly on a recent survey that
compared services in the state's 15 largest counties. The county ranked
14th for the waiting time to get into a treatment program and was tied for
last in the number of treatment slots available per 10,000 population.

To reverse that meager standing, supervisors unanimously approved spending
$616,000 as the first installment of what they promised would be a
long-term commitment.

``Today, San Mateo County is declaring war on drug abuse and the pain and
suffering it causes,'' Supervisor Ruben Barrales said at a meeting in
Redwood City that was packed with representatives from counseling and
treatment agencies.

To pay for it, officials turned to the Peninsula's booming economy that's
created a revenue windfall. They also plan to apply for state and federal
grants.

Long before the state released its survey of counties, members of nearly
two dozen public and private agencies began drawing up a report presented
to supervisors yesterday calling for more treatment and prevention. The
59-page master plan also asks for the county's help in finding affordable
space for treatment programs and overcoming local opposition to such centers.

``The costs of untreated substance abuse are staggering and are felt in
such areas as health, criminal justice, HIV services, mental health and
other areas,'' the master plan says. ``It is well documented that for every
dollar spent on substance abuse treatment, at least seven dollars are saved
in other areas such as criminal justice or health.''

In May, the state released the results of the survey that showed men and
women seeking treatment in San Mateo County are forced to wait an average
of 50 days. More than 300 people are on a waiting list at any one time.

Only Kern County scored worse. By comparison, the wait for treatment,
measured in April 1997, was 16 days in San Francisco, 30 days in Alameda
County and 36 in Santa Clara County. The statewide average was 20 days.

San Mateo County also tied for last with just 11 treatment slots per 10,000
residents, compared to an average for large counties of 22 slots.

Priya Haji of Free At Last, an East Palo Alto treatment and counseling
service, said when a person ``finally works up the courage'' to enter a
treatment program, ``they are told they are going to have to wait two
weeks, three months.'' She said the situation was frustrating.

People turned away are more likely to end up in jail or the hospital,
overdose, attempt suicide or commit domestic violence, officials said.

The county now spends $5.4 million annually on drug and alcohol treatment
and prevention. It contracts with 20 private agencies to provide services.

Substance abuse costs taxpayers in many ways, officials said. Of the 1,200
people incarcerated at any one time in San Mateo County, up to 80 percent
abuse alcohol or drugs. Nine in 10 juveniles in trouble with the law abuse
drugs or alcohol.

Given the scope of the problem, supervisors said they were committed to
expanding treatment but also pledged to beef up prevention programs.
Supervisors gave the county staff 45 days to draw up performance measures
``to be clear to ourselves so we're maximizing all our efforts,'' board
President Tom Huening said.

1998 San Francisco Chronicle Page A17

Checked-by: Pat Dolan