Illinois must fight substance abuse

The economy, health care, and crime. Polls consistently show these are among American voters' top concerns.

The weight of these concerns is evident in the rhetoric surrounding the Democratic and Republican national conventions. Less evident is the fact that adequate attention to one single social factor could have an exponential impact in responding to these concerns. That factor is substance abuse.

Untreated, substance abuse adds billions in costs to American businesses, hospitals, and community safety efforts. Every $1 spent on substance abuse treatment saves $7.

And yet, in Illinois, substance abuse treatment services are being decimated _ a 43 percent gutting of last year's funding. With each passing day, more services shut down and more treatment professionals join the hundreds being laid off.

Ironically, September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Across the nation, this is a time of celebration for millions of men and women who have overcome addiction. Sadly, that victory will be out of reach for 42,140 Illinoisans who need help this year.

Even more ironic, voters support substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Three-fourths of registered voters surveyed believe addiction is a disease and a full recovery from addiction is possible. In Illinois, 62 percent of those surveyed prefer political candidates who support treatment alternatives for nonviolent drug-involved offenders.

Less than one tenth of 1 percent of all state funding in Illinois is dedicated to prevention and treatment, while 12 percent of its budget is spent in dealing with the consequences of untreated substance abuse. That was before this year's budget cuts.

The longer these budget cuts stand, the greater the damage will be and the more expensive it will be to fix it. We urge state leaders to work together to restore funding to substance abuse treatment.

Melody M. Heaps

Founder and President

Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities

Chicago