TREAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL ILLNESS TO HELP CUT FLORIDA'S BUDGET

The state has a budget deficit. One area where large savings can be
found is in providing effective community treatment rather than
incarceration. Florida has more than 100,000 in 60 prisons and plans
to build 10 more. There are thousands more in county jails.

The Florida Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corp. reports 66
percent of the inmates have substance-abuse problems and many are
mentally ill. Few receive badly needed treatment. A criminal record
is difficult to overcome.

Florida ranks 16th in the nation in incarceration and 48th in mental
health treatment per capita funding.

Treatment works, two examples:

Florida Assertive Community Treatment Teams provide intensive
treatment for the most severely mentally ill, 24/7, resulting in a 75
percent reduction in hospitalization and incarceration. Just 10 teams
in the whole state exist. Many more are needed.

The Polk County Drug Court jail diversion and community treatment
program reports an 86 percent graduation rate and a 14 percent
recidivism rate after six years vs 67 percent of general prison population.

The state now spends $2.3 billion each year operating 137 correction
facilities and $3.6 billion more is planned building and operating 10
more prisons.

Gov. Rick Scott promises to cut wasteful spending. Increasing funding
for community treatment for mental health and substance-abuse
services will reduce the need for more prisons, save lives, increase
public safety and reduce costs to taxpayers.

CARL REED

Lakeland