Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 5, 1991                   TAG: 9104050642
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BOB LYNN
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VALLEY MUST FILL MANY GAPS IN ITS SUBSTANCE-ABUSE TREATMENT

The ingredients for an impending crisis are in place. Both pre-existing conditions and recent developments combine to increase our concern about the availability and affordability of appropriate treatment for the chemically dependent adults and youth in the Roanoke Valley. Our community is in a state of transition due in part to the following situations and changes.

The need for increased adolescent-treatment options in the Roanoke Valley has been previously documented. There are no public-sector options for adolescents to receive inpatient substance-abuse treatment in the Roanoke Valley. Even if a young person has insurance coverage or can afford to pay for private treatment, there is only one facility in our area that provides inpatient treatment.

Another urgent concern is the need for a halfway house for recovering males in Roanoke. The only halfway house in our area serves women.

In addition, people who do not have health insurance and cannot afford treatment are falling through the cracks. Medicare does provide for treatment for those over 65 years of age; however, not all facilities are Medicare-approved. Medicaid does not pay for substance-abuse treatment at all.

In addition to the critical needs already mentioned, several changes and impending changes increase our concerns. Effective Jan. 1, a major insurance carrier has changed its criteria for coverage for inpatient treatment of alcohol and other drug addictions. These more restrictive criteria drastically reduce an individual's chance of obtaining inpatient therapy.

Under the new criteria, one may receive inpatient treatment only if he is a threat to himself or others, if a medical problem exists that requires 24-hour nursing, or if he has failed at outpatient treatment within the past six months. Although intensive day treatment and outpatient treatment can be effective with many people, this policy can be catastrophic for those who do need inpatient treatment.

Also, the availability of treatment has changed recently. Within the past four months, one local treatment facility has closed and another has announced significant personnel reductions. Lastly, our public-sector providers face reduced funding from the state.

While recent events are startling and the pre-existing needs remain unmet, this time of change gives us the opportunity to take notice and be creative. We need to seek new and innovative ideas for the delivery of substance abuse treatment services. The public must make substance-abuse treatment a priority.

Following is a suggested list of actions that each of us can take immediately to assure that our valley maintains a decent standard of living:

Encourage business leaders to establish more employee-assistance programs.

Tell legislators and local elected officials that substance-abuse treatment is a priority. Mental Health Services of the Roanoke Valley administers effective, publicly supported programs such as New Directions, Prevention Plus, the Detoxification Center and Hegira House. Let's make certain that these services maintain an appropriate funding level.

Student-assistance programs are a cost-effective method of helping our youth. If the school in your neighborhood does not have a student-assistance program, encourage the school administration to institute one as soon as possible.

Support public-private joint ventures, such as the proposed Oxford House project, a recovery house being promoted by Mental Health Services.

Advocate a statewide study of the needs related to substance-abuse treatment.

Let's work together to make sure that the citizens of our great valley continue to have access to affordable and effective substance-abuse treatment services.

Bob Lynn is chairman of the treatment committee of the Roanoke Drug & Alcohol Abuse Council. Co-authors of this statement are committee members Marion Crenshaw, Frank Feather, Ted Petrocci and Philip Trompeter.