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More funds are spent dealing with problems created by abuse
By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Friday, May 29, 2009
Ohio spends too much money to mop up problems created by substance abuse and addiction, and not enough on prevention, treatment and research, according to a new study.
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University reported Thursday that Ohio spent $4.8 billion in 2005 — or $424 per capita — to deal with crime, health care, domestic violence, homelessness and other problems related to tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse.
Meanwhile, the state spent only about $10 per person for prevention, treatment and research.
Ohio isn't alone in failing to better focus on heading off abuse and addiction before they lead to more costly societal problems, according to the report, Shoveling Up II: The Impact of Substance Abuse on Federal, State and Local Budgets.
Researchers examined spending by governments nationwide, concluding that substance abuse and addiction cost them at least $467.7 billion in 2005, the most recent year that data were available.
But only 1.9 percent of the federal and state spending went to prevention and treatment, and only 0.4 percent to re
search.
''You get a sense that all of the states are spending very, very little on the front end to understand the problem and treat it,'' said Susan Foster, vice president and director of policy research at the nonprofit National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA). ''We are wasting and continue to waste billions of dollars by failing to treat this problem.''
The report urges government leaders to concentrate more on prevention, treatment and research.
Joseph Califano Jr., CASA's founder and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, called current spending ''a reckless misallocation of public funds.''
The group said the study is the most comprehensive analysis completed because it examined not only prevention and treatment costs, but also substance abuse-related spending on health care; criminal, juvenile and family court justice systems; incarceration; child welfare; domestic violence and child abuse; homelessness; mental illness; and developmental disabilities.
Bernie Rochford, executive vice president of Oriana House in Akron, said the conclusions aren't surprising.
''We've known that for years, especially in our profession,'' he said. ''The approach we've taken in this country is certainly not the most effective.''
Rochford noted that Summit County, which contracts with Oriana House for alternative-sentencing programs, is a leader in pursuing community corrections and treatment programs.
Ohio ranked 21st among states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for both the per-capita burden of substance abuse and addiction, and per-capita spending on prevention, treatment and research.
For every $100 Ohio spent on substance abuse and addiction, only $2.21 went to prevention, treatment and research — 17 cents below the state average, the study says.
The District of Columbia ranked first in per-capita burden of substance abuse and addiction at $1,316. The rest of the top five were: Alaska, $1,242; Maine, $893; Vermont, $779; and Connecticut, $745. South Carolina was last at $216.
Connecticut ranked first for per-capita spending on prevention, treatment and research at $87. The rest of the top five were: District of Columbia, $45; Wyoming, $33; Oregon, $26; and Kentucky, $24. Puerto Rico was last at 64 cents.
For more details on the report, go to: http://www.casacolumbia.org.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Ohio spends too much money to mop up problems created by substance abuse and addiction, and not enough on prevention, treatment and research, according to a new study.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 05:55 AM, 05/29/2009
There is an entire parasitic industry who benefit from NOT preventing it. Various nonprofits and vendors profit from it.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:16 AM, 05/29/2009
All fundin' should be shifted to pay for employer drug testin'.
The dopes on dope, would then have a choice. Do drugs and not be able to get a job to pay for their habit, or quit and become a viable part of society.
Akron, oh
Posted 08:26 AM, 05/29/2009
Solve this problem by a urine test before any gov't benefit is given to any person. Don't pass the test you don't get the benefit
One excepteion free housing & food in the pen for breaking the law
akron, oh
Posted 09:04 AM, 05/29/2009
I just found where Strickland can cut another $4.8 billion from the budget.
Canton, OH
Posted 11:39 AM, 05/29/2009
Maybe we should invest this money in education instead of substance abuse. Since its obvious that half of you can't spell.
Canton, OH
Posted 12:28 PM, 05/29/2009
I forgot that most of you proudly voted *NO* on recent school levies. So who cares if you cannot spell to save your life.
m, m
Posted 07:10 PM, 05/29/2009
An interesting idea. Drug test recipients of social services. And if they find drugs, then you go into treatment. But then, ouch. Don't they have rights? What about the alcoholics? And who will pay for drug treatment? I think you need to start in school, where drug use starts. Maybe try the 'human cost' of drugs. The exploitation and killing of people down in Mexico and S/Central America?
Posted 01:18 PM, 05/30/2009
Betamax,
People on drugs don't always work. Can't. They have a habit and they need to find a fix. Drugs take away ambition, especially weed.
