Budget cuts undermining drug treatment in the US

 

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 Carol Forsloff - Budget cuts are impacting drug counseling centers at a time when drug use continues to be a serious problem, even in the medical profession where access to prescription drugs gets some people addicted and in trouble. 

It has for a nurse in Mississippi who has been found guilty of taking drugs from patients and faces a mandated drug treatment program.  Perhaps she will be luckier than some people around the country who are facing budget cuts and can't give or get help. 

According to a major drug treatment program online authority,  the funding for treatment is continually shrinking, as they quote a local newspaper source, the Zanesville Reporter that undertook an investigation of this. 

These budget cuts are occurring at a time when addiction is actually increasing.

National Drug Control Policy Director, R. Gil Kerlikowske told international delegates at a conference in Vienna, Austria that "drugs are a huge threat to society and one that demands a comprehensive and effective response." 

Kimberly Murrell, age 37, of Plantersville, entered a plea of guilty in June 2010 before Judge Andrew Howorth in Lafayette County to one count of acquiring or obtaining possession of controlled substance or prescription by misrepresentation, fraud and the like.  She was indicted on the charges by a Union County grand jury in October, 2009.  

For her sentencing, Murrell agreed to and was accepted to participate in the Third Judicial District Drug Court, which is a 36 month minimum program consisting of five phases.  Murrell met eligibility as this was her first offense and she had no previous convictions.  

“This is a great program started by Judge Howorth that provides early intervention and serves as a meaningful alternative to incarceration for certain defendants,” said Attorney General Hood, according to a recent press release. 

 “The goal is to reduce the recidivism rate for the participants and hopefully help them become a productive member of society,” Hood declares.

As part of the program, participants are required to: 

1. Meet once a week with Judge Howorth and the Drug Court Staff at the Lafayette County Courthouse in Oxford, MS. 
2. Attend AA or NA meetings at least twice weekly and have an addiction assessment and attend recommended Drug Treatment which could include: inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or aftercare meetings. Participants are required to pay the cost of treatment. 
3. Participants are tested regularly to ensure they are not continuing to use drugs. If a participant fails to submit to a drug screen, they are presumed to have a positive screen. 
4. Participants are required to pay monthly drug court fees. 

The drug court program is entering into its third year and thus far has had more than a 50% success rate.  

At the time of the crimes Murrell was working at Graceland Care Center of New Albany as a LPN. She admitted that on multiple occasions she signed out but did not dispense Lortab, a narcotic, to three different patients of the facility. Her actions occurred between December 2008 and January 2009. 

Murrell may have been unlucky in getting caught, but with mandatory drug rehabilitation as her sentence, it is likely with that kind of support she has a chance of getting treatment, something other addicts will find hard to get in a recession where major cuts are occurring at drug treatment centers everywhere.