The chair of the Governor's Commission on Substance Abuse Services, Rick Karges outlined important actions to combat alcohol and drug abuse in our communities in his Jan. 31 opinion column. We agree that it is time for a renewed emphasis on Maine's substance abuse policies. The Maine Association of Substance Abuse Programs (MASAP), with membership representing the complete continuum of care, is the statewide representative for substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery in Maine. We believe that we must substantially refocus our investment in the prevention and treatment of harmful alcohol and drug use and addiction. This requires reallocating resources toward alcohol and drug prevention and treatment, utilizing criminal justice procedures that are shown to be effective in reducing supply and demand, and reducing the disabling regulation of addiction treatment programs. Substance abuse is Maine's rapidly escalating health problem and mirrors the Robert Wood Johnson data citing substance abuse as the nation's primary public health problem. 103,200 of Maine's citizens are substance abusers. There were 12,000 admissions and 10,000 clients in treatment for substance abuse at MASAP member agencies in 2001. The good news is that alcohol and drug use disorders are effectively treated. The Physician Leadership on National Drug Policy concludes that treatment for substance abuse is as effective as treatments for other chronic illnesses. Treatment is not only medically effective, it is cost effective. The economic cost of substance abuse to the Maine economy is staggering. This is an enormous burden that affects all of us. A 1998 report estimated that alcohol abuse caused the state of Maine to spend $1 billion. This cost includes productivity losses caused by premature death and the inability to perform usual activities, as well as costs related to treatment, crime, destruction of property and other losses. For every dollar invested in substance abuse prevention, $12 are saved. For every dollar spent on alcohol and drug treatment, at least $7 is saved. Maine has taken positive steps to combat the problem of substance abuse. Prevention, intervention and treatment activities are ongoing and recovering individuals are courageously speaking out to add a voice and a public face to reduce stigma, discrimination, and show Maine that treatment works. Close coordination with the efforts of the Departments of Education, Public Safety, Corrections, and Human Services, as well as Maine's employers, is resulting in significant improvements in outcomes. MASAP has been charged with coordinating many of the recommendations of the Maine Statewide Summit on Alcohol and Other Drugs. We urge Governor Baldacci, the 121st Legislature, and our fellow citizens to address Maine's alcohol and other drugs epidemic, one of the primary medical, economic, and social issues in our state. Ruth Blauer is Executive Director of the Maine Association of Substance Abuse Programs. Her e-mail address is rblauer@masap.org.
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