A CRITICAL BATTLE

Focus on treatment for addicts is essential

The still-precarious financial condition of Massachusetts state government
notwithstanding, the Legislature should act quickly to boost funding for
substance-abuse treatment statewide. The scourge of drug abuse and the
illicit drug trade constitute a far-reaching public health and public safety
issue warranting highest priority.

In a letter to lawmakers, Public Health Commissioner Christine Ferguson
made a persuasive case for approval of an allocation of $11.87 million
included in the supplemental budget proposed by Gov. Mitt Romney. The money
is needed to pay for residential treatment services, youth services and
detoxification treatment.

Although the need for services to get addicts off drugs is longstanding,
time is of the essence. On Wednesday, federal officials notified Ms.
Ferguson and Ronald Preston, state health and human services secretary, the
state would be in noncompliance with substance-abuse grant requirements if
the money is not approved by Sept. 14. Massachusetts could lose up to $9.2
million in federal matching funds.

The battle against illicit drug use is critical on several levels.

From a public health viewpoint, intravenous drug abuse now is the major
factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases.
The medical and economic costs, not to mention the terrible toll in human
life and suffering, are immense.

From a public safety viewpoint, crime and drug addiction are inextricably
entwined. Robberies, burglaries, prostitution, gang killings - and even,
apparently, a kidnapping that hit the headlines the other day - are driven
by the illicit drug trade.

Anti-drug enforcement by police and other agencies is vital, of course, and
untold millions of dollars in public money are expended in the effort each
year. But unless adequate detoxification and anti-addiction treatment are
widely available, the vicious cycle of drug abuse will not be broken.

Approving the supplemental allocation now before the Legislature would be a
step in the right direction.