Drug abuse fight is everybody's fight
The following is a Counterpoint column:
By George Coates
The Guilford County Substance Abuse Coalition would like to expand upon the article that appeared in the Jan. 20 edition of the News & Record ("Report supports long-term center for drug treatment").
Addressing the problem of substance abuse in Guilford County will take a multifaceted approach. The report mentioned in this story included a number of recommendations, the possibility of a long-term center being only one of them. The county first must marshal its resources to provide an efficient and effective treatment system. Guilford County has many organizations and individuals involved in, and available for, prevention education, treatment and counseling, and aftercare. We should first do everything possible to be sure that these organizations and individuals work together in a coordinated fashion and have the resources necessary to do the best job possible for their clients.
Substance abuse in Guilford County is a big and growing problem. The most obvious facts are the crime-related statistics: The rate of increase of drug arrests is more than twice that of the state; more than 60 percent of those surveyed in the Guilford County jails said that they have a substance-abuse problem There are costs to the community in terms of chronic illnesses and medical care. Alcohol and tobacco use are closely related to heart disease, stroke and cancer. The rates of increase of all three of these diseases are up in Guilford County. In 2002, they accounted for 53 percent of all deaths. Not to mention the fact that most of those incarcerated have no private insurance or do not qualify for public assistance.
One of the most disturbing facts is that, among our youth, the use of alcohol and tobacco is up, but their perceptions of the risks of this use have gone down.
Finding the right solution for Guilford County is going to take broad-minded discussion, broad-based community participation, and consideration for the multiple fronts on which this war must be fought. Whether we realize it now or not, it is everybody's fight and we all need to become more aware and be involved.
The writer is director of the Guilford County Substance Abuse Coalition.
Comments (4)
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George, my friend. I appreciate what you've written. But how do you write about substance abuse in Guilford County, particularly about the results of the GCSAC report, and not mention CRACK COCAINE? The community costs that you speak of are overwhelmingly attributed to the crack epidemic. The long-term treatment we're all fighting for is for crack addicts. Crack. Crack. Crack. Say it loud! It's the biggest enemy in the war against substance abuse in Guilford County.
Posted on February 1, 2006 12:23 PM
George, Thanks for the update. I am familiar with your coalition's efforts and I think you are doing a great job with your current resources. As you mention, the problem effects all of us and we all need to be mutually supportive. You have a workable net work in place but the needs are out distancing your ability to effectively respond. I hope you get your desperately needed resources.
Joe Dennison, MSW
Posted on February 1, 2006 12:47 PM
Why not have the committee members and politicians put pressure on the employers in town to drug test both pre-employment and randon testing during employment. They can help keep costs down for these tests by using instant tests bought right on the internet.
We have used www.1mdllc.com but there are many.
Are the politicians and government workers in the area being tested. They could be the first to step forward and put the pressure on the others.
Posted on August 19, 2008 3:27 PM
Why not have the committee members and politicians put pressure on the employers in town to drug test both pre-employment and random testing during employment. They can help keep costs down for these tests by using instant tests bought right on the internet.
You could let parents know they can buy the tests from you or on the internet and help stop the teenage use as well.
We have used www.1mdllc.com but there are many.
Are the politicians and government workers in the area being tested. They could be the first to step forward and put the pressure on the others.
Posted on August 19, 2008 3:29 PM