STATE REJECTS LAWMAKER'S PLEA TO SAVE DRUG TREATMENT CENTER

A lawmaker's plan to save a Mount Pleasant residential drug treatment
center won't work, a state Department of Human Services spokesman said this
week.

Roger Munns said a proposal by state Rep. Dave Heaton, R-Mount Pleasant,
would require approval of the state Legislature, which does not meet again
until January, long after the center would be closed.

Munns also said DHS is reluctant to use one-time money to support on- going
programs, as Heaton's plan would require.

In addition, he said the state is "maxed out" in its ability to transfer
certain federal funds to the general fund as Heaton proposes.

"His idea is not new," Munns said. "It is done all the time. It's just that
we can't do it anymore."

Munns also said DHS Director Jessie Rasmussen had told Heaton about two
weeks ago that the plan was not workable.

Heaton earlier this week said other state funds are available to keep the
center open because Iowa received $6 million in bonuses this month for its
effective welfare programs.

"With our bonus going for cash grants," he said, "this will free up welfare
reform funds that could be used for related services and programs currently
being funded by the General Fund."

Heaton, co-chairman of the Legislature's Human Services Appropriations
subcommittee, said funds could be transferred to child and family services
programs, which would allow the treatment center to remain open.

Heaton said that without the program some would-be patients would be forced
to return to prison.

He said the program treats nonviolent re-offenders and parole violators who
have agreed to participate in lieu of returning to prison.

The DHS recently announced it will close the only state-run drug
rehabilitation center, saving the institute about $450,000 a year.
Currently, there are about 30 people at the center.

Munns said the treatment program will be phased out, and that it will stop
taking new patients, although current participants will continue with their
month-long treatment.

The center employs about 10 staff members, Munns said.

The issue has become something a political football.

Iowa Speaker of the House Brent Siegrist, R-Council Bluffs, issued a
statement Thursday questioning the Vilsack administration's decision to
close the treatment center.

"Governor Vilsack keeps claiming that we have an $800 million surplus, so I
don't understand. Why do we have to close this facility?" Siegrist said.

He also expressed support for Heaton's proposal.

"Representative Heaton has come up with a reasonable, workable solution to
this problem," Siegrist said. "Every year, we utilize some of our federal
welfare reform to bolster parts of the DHS budget. Our bonus gives us an
opportunity to put more money into child welfare services and keep the
treatment center open."

Heaton said that by trying to save $450,000 by closing the center, it would
actually end up costing $3.5 million a year to imprison the 200 people who
would have been sent to the center.

"It's simple math," Heaton said.

He also said sending the 200 for private treatment would cost the state
$5,000 each just for an evaluation, while it only cost $3,000 each for a
month of treatment at the center.

Heaton said some way needs to be found to keep the center open until the
Legislature can act in January.