MANY CONCERNED OVER DROP IN DETOX BEDS

More Substance Abuse Treatment Options Needed

Local substance abuse specialists and elected officials have
understandably expressed concern over Owensboro Mercy Health System's
decision to cut its number of detox beds for patients addicted to
drugs. OMHS completed the reorganization of its detoxifying unit in
early November, cutting its number of beds from eight to two, and
moving rehabilitation services off campus.

The move has caused some to question whether those in need of help can
get the treatment they need locally. But it's hard to find fault in
what OMHS has done. The hospital says that, on average, only two beds
were being used a day, and the unit lost $1 million last year.

The easy argument is to say that if the detox unit is able to save
even one life, it's worth $1 million, or however much it would cost.
But it's unrealistic to expect the hospital to operate in that manner.
If every department were managed with that mind-set, the hospital
wouldn't be around very long.

Energies could be better channeled by not focusing on the hospital but
rather why this move by the hospital became necessary.

It would be naive to suggest that this region doesn't have a problem
with substance abuse. So the question should be asked: Why is it that,
on average, only two beds each day were being used in the detox unit?

The answer likely lies in a combination of factors: People don't know
what treatment options exist; they simply refuse to seek help; or they
can't afford the treatment that is available. Part of the problem with
detox units at hospitals is that the cost is nearly triple that of
treatment provided by community health programs, and insurance
companies are cutting the number of days they will pay for treatment
in a hospital.

It would seem more affordable options are needed, and a better job
must be done in not only educating the public about treatment options,
but providing the support and encouragement needed to ensure people
seek help.

The issue of substance abuse treatment was an important one to
outgoing city commissioner Olive Burroughs, who seemed to have a good
handle on the problem. "We're not providing the treatment that's
needed in this community," Burroughs said earlier this year. "We have
to create an environment where people aren't ashamed to seek
treatment. Substance abuse is an epidemic in this community."

Burroughs was a proponent of a local residential substance abuse
treatment center. She, along with City Manager Ron Payne, hosted a
meeting in May to look at what gaps exist and what could be done to
improve the delivery of substance abuse care. In Burroughs' absence,
it will be imperative that city officials continue the commitment to
addressing this issue.

The idea of a treatment facility may prove unrealistic, but that
shouldn't derail efforts to fill the gaps in care. Daviess County has
a lot of dedicated people -- both in law enforcement and substance
abuse treatment and prevention -- working diligently to curb the local
drug problem.

Without adequate treatment options, however, they will never be able
to fully break the cycle of substance abuse in this community.