ADDICTS ARE CLINGING TO A FRAYING LIFELINE

Engler Plan Slices $1 Million From Recovery Programs

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."

Gaddis Franklin, 55, of Detroit is a recovering heroin addict who spent 15
years in prisons on drug-induced crimes. "I've been clean for 3 1/2 years
now," he said Tuesday. He gives lots of credit to Nardin Park Recovery
Center, one of numerous clinics in the city that distribute the
nonhallucinogenic drug methadone to recovering heroin addicts.

"Taking away any funding for programs like this is not a good idea," he
said. "Without it, I would still be out there using drugs, committing
crimes, maybe dead."

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 are allowed to choose how they spend their share of the
approximately $80 million that the state spends every year on substance
abuse recovery 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 state programs through city or county health
departments.

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

She doesn't want the governor to force such a move.

"I have seen the governor systematically dismantle mental health services
for the people of Michigan," Collins said Tuesday. "We have a system in
place. If you want to make changes, you should consult with us."

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 written testimonials in
support of the city's substance abuse counseling administrators.

State senators recently overturned the governor's proposals for funding
substance abuse counseling, actually increasing state spending on substance
abuse programs in their 2002-2003 budget proposal. In addition, the senate
voted to maintain local control over how the money is spent.

The House is scheduled to take up the question after its Easter recess.