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Editor, News-Register:
The one hand (WV legislators) certainly is not referencing what the other hand (West Virginia individuals and families) is experiencing. When increased problems with addiction and overdose from illegal drugs and reported frequently in the media, our legislators are debating a bill to cap the number of beds allocated for drug treatment in a county.
The reality is that we do not currently have enough treatment beds available for effective treatment in this state. An absolute minimum for detox is a month. The greatest success rate is found in lengthy (up to two years) in-patient programs.
Until and unless we as a society are willing to spend the funds for adequate treatment, and encourage the creation of local programs, the drug problem will continue to entrap our loved ones and create even greater problems with overdoses, drug-related crime, and shattered lives.
Now is the time to immediately let our legislators know that we will never arrest our way out of this crisis and that jails and homelessness are not effective places to treat those enmeshed in substance use disorder. While capping beds may save some money and relieve some communities of having a greater percentage of programs, the long-term answer is legislation making it easier for such programs to be created in areas of need, with fewer hoops to jump through, and start-up funding to assist.
Capping won't save the lives of friends, family members, and neighbors seeking treatment, but intentionally facilitating more treatment beds will.
The Rev. Dr. Nancy Woodworth-Hill
Lawrencefield Parish Church
Wheeling