FORD CENTER HELPING STATE FIGHT DRUGS

Officials with the Betty Ford Center have turned down corporations and
other mega-organizations that have requested the center's consulting
services. But officials with the renowned substance abuse treatment center
couldn't resist Oklahoma's offer.

"It was so intriguing, so inclusive ... a state wanting to put together
something so comprehensive -- that's what got our attention," said Mike
Neatherton, Betty Ford Center chief operating officer.

Neatherton and other center officials headed the Statewide Substance Abuse
Planning Initiative on Thursday at the Governor's Mansion. Supported by
Gov. Frank Keating, who gave opening remarks, the conference brought
together leaders and professionals who deal with substance abuse issues in
Oklahoma.

The initiative is a project of the Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration
Commission. It is aimed at strengthening substance abuse prevention,
treatment and education statewide.

"It's pretty incredible what the state is about to launch," Neatherton
said. "The Betty Ford Center is here for a real solid purpose ... because
of the vision that was presented to us."

After completing treatment for chemical dependency, former first lady Betty
Ford founded the private, nonprofit center in 1982 in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

The center, through its wholly owned subsidiary MSJ Corp., will help
formulate a statewide plan for addressing substance abuse.

Neatherton and Elaine Puckett, director of consulting for MSJ, said their
outside help will benefit the state in terms of organizing and creating a
plan. Oklahomans, including about 100 "stakeholders" gathered Thursday,
will be expected to put that plan into action.

"It is a way for you to work together with some outside leadership so that
you can create your own plan," Puckett said.

Before MSJ's involvement with the state, the organization declined
consulting requests because it had no time to commit to such proposals.

When state officials approached the facility with a goal of forming a
strategic plan, the center's founder, Ford, sent her daughter, Susan Ford
Bales, to Oklahoma, Neatherton said.

He said once Bales and other center officials met with state officials, the
die was cast.

"We're committed to being here," he said.

Puckett said Oklahoma has reason to address its portion of the national
epidemic of substance abuse.

Statewide, substance abuse is a factor in 80 percent of prison
incarcerations, 85 percent of rapes, 65 percent of child abuse cases, 50
percent of traffic fatalities and 55 percent of domestic assaults, she said.

Puckett said Oklahoma's vision should include closing the gaps in the
prevention and treatment of substance abuse, such as making treatment
affordable for all, making people more aware of available services and
changing the public's perception of addiction as "a moral weakness rather
than a disease."

Another stakeholders' meeting likely will be held in April, in which
participants will organize into groups that will develop the statewide
plan, Puckett said. She said several subsequent meetings probably will be
held before year's end to develop a plan of action.

Puckett advised the initiative group to work first on "short benchmark
goals" when implementing the comprehensive plan.

"Is this ambitious? Yes," Puckett said.

With all available resources, Oklahoma can develop its plan and make it
work, she said.

"No group can solve the problem for another group," she said. "We have to
solve it together."

Ben Brown, deputy commissioner for substance abuse services with the state
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, deemed Thursday's
conference a success.

"I'm excited to have people of their experience here," Brown said.