ENGLER TO CUT DRUG, ALCOHOL PROGRAM FUNDS

Substance abuse counselors say treatments could be disrupted for tens of
thousands of recovering alcoholics and drug abusers in Michigan if the state
adopts cost-cutting moves proposed by Gov. John Engler.

But Engler's budget-writers maintain that their proposed cuts would
eliminate bureaucratic fat in fiscal year 2002-2003 without touching the
money that funds detoxification programs and other support for substance
abusers.

"We believe this will allow us to continue to provide quality services even
though funding is scarce," said Kelly Chesney, budget office spokeswoman.

Engler wants to cut funds for the administration of substance abuse programs
by one-quarter -- $1 million of the $4 million currently spent. Managers of
the programs say Engler's proposal would change the quality and continuity
of services to some of Michigan's neediest citizens: people struggling to
break powerful addictions that motivate crimes and ruin lives.

"The good work we've been able to do will be compromised," said Calvin
Trent, who oversees substance abuse programs for Detroit's Department of
Public Health.

"We certainly wouldn't want to lose $1 million out of the budget," added
David Olin, who heads substance abuse programs in Macomb.

Said George Miller, health manager of the Oakland County Health Division,
"Obviously, you're going to have a loss of congruency. I have a concern with
that."

Recovering addict Sheryl Goolsbee agreed, swallowing her daily dose of
methadone from Nardin Park. She said she has been off heroin for nine months
- -- and she plans to attend tonight's summit to show support for the staff
that helped her. "There are other people out there who deserve another
chance like I had," she said.

In addition to cutting funds for substance abuse administration, the
governor's plan would require county mental health agencies to administer
substance abuse recovery programs. Under the current system, local
governments choose how they spend their share of the approximately $80
million the state spends yearly on substance abuse programs.

A handful of counties, including Macomb and Washtenaw, have county mental
health agencies to handle substance abuse counseling. Others, like Wayne and
Oakland, administer the state programs through city or county health
departments.

Detroit's substance abuse program is the largest in the state. Shifting it
to the county would take about $30 million annually from Detroit's Health
Department, said city Councilwoman Barbara-Rose Collins.

Collins proposed a resolution passed by the City Council a few weeks ago
opposing the governor's plan. Tonight at 6 Collins is hosting a community
summit in the City Council's chambers to gather testimonials in support of
the city's substance abuse counseling administrators.