TEENS NEED DRUG CARE, REPORT SAYS

Oklahoma needs dozens more residential treatment beds for teenagers
addicted to alcohol and other drugs, according to a report that will
be released today.

The state has only 21 publicly funded residential beds at the Norman
Adolescent Center, but needs another 100 to 200 more.

This is one of several recommendations contained in a report from the
Governor's and Attorney General's Task Force on Mental Health,
Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence.

The report recommends an increased tax on beer and alcohol to reduce
"the ever increasing cost of substance abuse and addiction."

Also according to the report, the mental health system is so
overwhelmed with the demand for its services, it is costing the state
$3 billion annually in direct costs and another $5 billion in lost
human productivity.

As part of the task force's recommendations, mental health, substance
abuse and domestic abuse assessment services should be provided using
mobile units in rural areas.

The task force also notes the corrections system is burdened with high
numbers of the mentally ill who end up in prison. The study found that
almost 18 percent of the prison population is being treated for
diagnosable mental illnesses.

Gov. Brad Henry and Attorney General Drew Edmondson are expected to
announce the task force's findings and recommendations at 3 p.m. today
in the state Capitol's Blue Room.