SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FIZZLING

Regarding your heartfelt article "Substance Abuse: Our Common Enemy," in
which Tom Randle, newly elected chairman of the Sarasota Coalition of
Substance Abuse, reported on the organization's objectives:

While much of the reporting expresses Mr. Randle's perceptions, there are
some statements that warrant correction. Sarasota Memorial Hospital does
screen for substance abuse. In the emergency room, as well as in the
nursing units, questions related to substance abuse are asked as part of
the assessment tool. Currently, there are efforts under way to expand that
process.

In regard to the statement "our community doesn't want for treatment," a
misperception was cited. This community, similar to thousands across the
nation, has witnessed the closing of numerous substance abuse treatment
centers. Whether we're talking about Medicaid, Medicare or the commercial
insurance/managed care companies, the willingness to pay for treatment is
abysmal, and state funding is insufficient. The annual cost to the nation
from alcohol-related problems alone is over $148 billion in lost
productivity, illness, premature death and crime, inclusive of domestic
violence.

While screening for alcohol and other drug dependencies can improve, where
will those identified receive treatment?

Coalitions and grass-roots citizens are organizing across the country. The
outcry is: Demand treatment!

Sarasota can be no exception.

Miriam Lacher

The writer is referral development coordinator, Bayside Center for
Behavioral Health, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, Sarasota.