DRUG CZAR, STATE URGE OPEN DISCUSSION OF SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCY

New Program Aims to End Stigma of Abusers, Offer Education, Therapy

HOUSTON - Texas health professionals and the state's drug and alcohol
commission want people to more freely discuss their use of illegal drugs
and alcohol in hopes of curbing substance dependency, a policy adviser said
during a visit by U.S. drug czar John Walters on Wednesday.

The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drugs has been monitoring a program set
to begin this month in some Harris County hospitals and clinics as a
potential model, which could be put in place statewide, said Tamara Allen,
a policy adviser for the agency.

The program, financed by grants from the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, also is set to begin in six other states. California,
Illinois, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Washington and Alaska received the
grants to train workers on how to question patients about alcohol and drug use.

Texas is scheduled to receive $17.5 million over the next five years to
implement the program, which will help medical workers query patients
without casting judgment and encouraging answers from users who may be in
denial about their problem or potential problem, said Dr. Katie McQueen,
medical director for the Harris County project.

Dr. McQueen said that if a problem exists, medical workers will attempt to
find an appropriate intervention for those in jeopardy of becoming an
addict or already dependent.

"We are looking to take the stigma off alcohol and drug use and to provide
very important education, intervention, assessment and where necessary,
treatment placement," she said.

Mr. Walters said the effort in Harris County and the six other states is
groundbreaking.

"It is literally ... an effort to change the practice of medicine in the
United States to better reduce the problem of substance abuse," he said.
"Many people coming into our medical institutions for treatment have
substance abuse problems that are making their health worse, are causing
damage to themselves and others."

Understanding that addiction is a disease will make a "vital difference" in
people's lives, Mr. Walters said.

Most people who arrive in emergency rooms or clinics with drug or alcohol
use problems don't need treatment, but some "motivational intervention,"
Dr. McQueen said. Currently, only 10 percent of the money provided through
the grant will go toward treatment, she said.

However, through the program, workers can gather information on how many
patients require treatment.

"We cannot approach the state or the federal government or anyone for even
more treatment dollars until we identify that we have a specific unmet
need," she said.

Any information provided to health care providers would remain confidential.