DRUG, ALCOHOL CENTER PLANNED

VINITA -- Oklahoma's escalating methamphetamine use and the demand for more
female treatment beds were the catalysts for building a new residential
treatment center in northeast Oklahoma, a hospital representative said
Tuesday. "Besides methamphetamine use, the increasing overall drug use is a
problem for our local communities," said Phillip Cummings, executive
director of the Vinita Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program.

Oklahoma is ranked No. 3 in the nation for its methamphetamine problem
after 1,193 labs were seized last year.

Cummings said the cost to build a treatment center and treat addicts is
cheaper than providing no treatment. The state gets back $7 for each $1
spent on treatment, he said.

Cummings said the new 52- bed residential drug and alcohol treatment center
would be built on 40 acres next to Eastern State Hospital.

Construction should begin before the end of the year and be completed by
2004, said Ben Brown, the state's deputy mental health commissioner for
substance abuse services.

Funding for the $2.5 million dollar treatment center came from state bonds,
Brown said.