Sitnews -Stories in the News - Ketchikan, Alaska - Viewpoints - Opinions

Sitnews - Stories In The News - Ketchikan, Alaska - Opinions

Viewpoints

Where is the money for treatment centers?
by Patti Fay Hickox

September 03, 2004
Friday

Isn't it wonderful that the Governor proclaims September Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month. But cut the budget for in-patient treatment by $600,000. Take away our Transitional Living Center. And the court's opinion is the legislators don't care if you die drunk.

Our Faith Community doesn't have money to treat the cronic alcoholic and/or drug addict. Your workplace would tell you to go to treatment, but treatment centers are full. It takes 6 months to get a patient a bed in a treatment center. Some die before getting treatment. The help lines can do nothing but tell you that it is a 6 month waiting period to get a bed in treatment.

Don't say you care Mr. Government unless you provide the money for treatment centers. Treatment works! I know I have been sober and a productive member of society for the last 16 years. Help was there when I needed it and I did not have to wait 6 months. If they had told me to wait 6 months for treatment I would not be alive today to write this letter.

Sincerely,

Patti Fay Hickox
E-mail: pattifay@gci.net
Ketchikan, AK - USA