ROMNEY IGNORES ADDICTION SERVICES

MARK COVEN'S well-researched April 13 op-ed article "Our surrender in war
on drugs" thoughtfully frames the issues causing the erosion of state
dollars for treating substance abuse. The article also underscores our
governor's indifference, if not callous disregard, for supporting the
treatment and care of people with addictions. Even though Governor Romney
expresses concern for the skyrocketing epidemic rise in heroin addiction in
virtually every community in Massachusetts, there is nothing in his budget
that reflects even a modicum of a commitment to core services for the
uninsured living with substance abuse. The deleterious path the Romney
administration is leading Massachusetts down has already had deadly
consequences. Last spring the state lost 50 percent of its detox beds.

Astoundingly, this year the state has unveiled a budget that recommends
even further cuts, including a decrease of $2 million for the Bureau of
Substance Abuse Services. The loss only highlights Romney's disregard for
the current system of treatment for substance abuse. More important, the
governor ignores the huge impact the loss of matching federal dollars would
have on the substance abuse system if his recommendations are sustained.

The spin of the administration is to justify direct cuts to the Bureau of
Substance Abuse -- the one governmental agency that has historically built
our system of care -- by trying to hoodwink us into believing that the
governor is reallocating substance abuse services elsewhere.

If the money is somewhere else in his budget, he's done a good job burying
it. During his campaign, Romney made a commitment to preserve core
services. These recommendations don't just cut a few core services but
rather will wipe out what little is left of substance abuse treatment.

JONATHAN D. SCOTT

President

Victory Programs Inc.

Boston