DRUG ABUSE

Chicago -- Fortunately Illinois is ahead of many states in addressing
the meth problem. With the devastation of the meth problem first
evident Downstate, Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan began focusing on this drug
more than three years ago, forming a task force of diverse vested
parties: education, law enforcement, substance-abuse treatment,
Department of Children and Family Services, and criminal-justice
agencies that have convened to attack this drug head-on. Chicago also
has established a local crystal meth task force to coordinate
information dissemination and to discuss developing an infrastructure
for appropriate services.

Services must be addressed. Drug treatment for methamphetamine
requires a different approach than that for the other drugs discussed
in your editorial. Specifically, clinical trials have clearly
demonstrated that longer periods of treatment are required to have
successful outcomes. Also mental-health care must be incorporated into
the substance-abuse treatment model. Because the withdrawal symptoms
from this drug often are displayed as mental-health issues,
mental-health care is critical from the onset of services.

The current infrastructure of social services is not only insufficient
for existing substance-abuse treatment requirements, it is in severe
need of enhancement to address the tremendous impact of an exploding
drug problem. For example, education is needed for providers such as
pharmacists, medical staff and law enforcement. Rather than deflecting
services and focus from one drug, we must consider the complete impact
of drug use, including the tremendous, rapid devastation that
methamphetamine has on an individual, a family and a community.

As we continue to expand the dialogue, we must continue to inform the
community about innovative approaches that must be reviewed and
implemented to keep Chicago from becoming one of those many states
where the epidemic is out of control.

Dr. Dan Lustig Associate director, Clinical and Administrative
Services, Haymarket Center