DRUG TREATMENT NEEDED

Doug Wright, chairman of the Durham Center, the agency that manages
the county's mental health, substance abuse and developmental
disabilities services, makes a compelling argument when he says we
must start treating substance abuse like a disease instead of a crime.

We agree with Wright that if that doesn't happen, then there is
little chance of ever getting control of a problem that is a major
drag on society.

How big a problem is it in Durham? Wright estimates that there are
19,000 people in Durham County addicted to alcohol or other drugs. Of
those, about 7,000 seek treatment. And only 2,500 of those are
actually treated.

In terms of dollars, the N.C. Alcohol and Drug Council estimates that
substance abuse cost Durham County about $250 million in 2003. The
cost in terms of broken families, damaged lives and wasted potential
is immeasurable.

So indeed, substance abuse isn't an issue we can afford to ignore. We
think the Durham Center is on target in trying to develop a plan to
more aggressively attack substance abuse. Wright has asked the County
Commissioners for a $500,000 budget increase to kick off a 10-year
initiative that includes a $54-million wish list to fight substance abuse.

The money, which would be a 7.2 percent increase for the Durham
Center, would be used to help, recruit and train substance abuse
providers. Day treatment programs and supporting housing would also benefit.

In these tight budgetary times, finding extra money won't be easy for
County Manager Mike Ruffin, who has submitted a zero-tax increase
budget to commissioners. Ruffin has been asked to review the Center's
plan and make a funding recommendation at a June 15 work session. We
hope he can find a way to meet the Durham Center's funding request.

Still, we think the Center's plan needs to undergo a thorough review
before commissioners buy into it long term. Remember the
commissioners and Ruffin only saw the plan for the first time Wednesday.

Finding $500,000 for the first step of the plan may prove the easy
part. Coming up with $54 million over 10 years seems unlikely. But to
fight this important problem will certainly take money. It makes
sense to plan for the long term and set our sights high.