Feb. 6, 2010
Del. Don Perdue Asks Governor Manchin to Reconsider Opposition to Substance Abuse Funding or Support Beer Tax
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- Delegate Don Perdue (D-Wayne) sent a letter to Governor Joe Manchin on Friday, Feb.5 asking that he reconsider his opposition to use current state resources to provide substance abuse services. He also provided the Governor the option of supporting a bill to increase the state’s beer tax as an alternative source for funding for substance abuse services.
In his letter to Manchin, Perdue wrote “It was extremely disappointing to read that you seem opposed to increased funding of substance abuse services in the Thursday February 4th edition of the Charleston Gazette. Given your statements last fall when The Governor’s Comprehensive Strategic Plan to Address Substance Abuse was released, I thought you understood the need for these services.”
In his letter Perdue pointed out to the Governor that he believed the state had the resources to provide substance abuse funding. “Despite the fact our state has a half billion dollars in the rainy day fund and a $350 million surplus in Medicaid you have apparently decided that this pressing need is now not a funding priority. Rich families may have the ability to pay for substance abuse treatments for their loved ones, however most people who are middle class or below are left with no way to pay for the help they or their families need.” Knowing how the governor reviews issues from an economic standpoint Perdue quantified the lack of substance abuse services from a dollars and cents point of view. “From an economic standpoint the issue of substance abuse is as important as your drive to fully fund the retirement systems and other long term obligations.” He also indicated that the Governor himself had estimated the cost to the state of doing nothing in terms of substance abuse was two billion dollars.
Perdue also pointed out
“Addiction has been on the rise in WV for the past five years or so and we’ve seen an explosion of addiction to opiates (pain killers) that has resulted in WV leading the nation in opiate and methadone overdose deaths per capita,” said Karen Miller of Huntington who provides services to women facing substance addictions.
Miller also indicated that severe addictions have become more commonplace among West Virginia families, resources for effective treatment and recovery services have flat-lined due to the nature of stagnant funding for programs.
She added “Referral lists continue to grow as more and more people are waiting to enter services. Addiction is a fatal disease resulting in death that requires resources be available when individuals are ready for help. Treatment and recovery programs in our current service delivery system are no longer able to meet this increasing and urgent need. Addiction robs individuals of everything and it takes their families hostage.”
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Del. Don Perdue Asks Governor Manchin to Reconsider Opposition to Substance Abuse Funding or Support Beer Tax
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Charleston, WV (HNN) -- Delegate Don Perdue (D-Wayne) sent a letter to Governor Joe Manchin on Friday, Feb.5 asking that he reconsider his opposition to use current state resources to provide substance abuse services. He also provided the Governor the option of supporting a bill to increase the state’s beer tax as an alternative source for funding for substance abuse services.
In his letter to Manchin, Perdue wrote “It was extremely disappointing to read that you seem opposed to increased funding of substance abuse services in the Thursday February 4th edition of the Charleston Gazette. Given your statements last fall when The Governor’s Comprehensive Strategic Plan to Address Substance Abuse was released, I thought you understood the need for these services.”
In his letter Perdue pointed out to the Governor that he believed the state had the resources to provide substance abuse funding. “Despite the fact our state has a half billion dollars in the rainy day fund and a $350 million surplus in Medicaid you have apparently decided that this pressing need is now not a funding priority. Rich families may have the ability to pay for substance abuse treatments for their loved ones, however most people who are middle class or below are left with no way to pay for the help they or their families need.” Knowing how the governor reviews issues from an economic standpoint Perdue quantified the lack of substance abuse services from a dollars and cents point of view. “From an economic standpoint the issue of substance abuse is as important as your drive to fully fund the retirement systems and other long term obligations.” He also indicated that the Governor himself had estimated the cost to the state of doing nothing in terms of substance abuse was two billion dollars.
Perdue also pointed out
- 70% of parents who come into contact with the child welfare system have problems with substance abuse.
- Of every dollar spent on substance abuse in West Virginia 99.6˘ goes to dealing with the wreckage of substance abuse and only .04˘ is used to prevent and treat it.
- Substance abuse costs every man, woman, and child in West Virginia over $1,143 per year, or over $4,500 for a family of 4. Yet we do little to deal with this problem in an up front manner.
“Addiction has been on the rise in WV for the past five years or so and we’ve seen an explosion of addiction to opiates (pain killers) that has resulted in WV leading the nation in opiate and methadone overdose deaths per capita,” said Karen Miller of Huntington who provides services to women facing substance addictions.
Miller also indicated that severe addictions have become more commonplace among West Virginia families, resources for effective treatment and recovery services have flat-lined due to the nature of stagnant funding for programs.
She added “Referral lists continue to grow as more and more people are waiting to enter services. Addiction is a fatal disease resulting in death that requires resources be available when individuals are ready for help. Treatment and recovery programs in our current service delivery system are no longer able to meet this increasing and urgent need. Addiction robs individuals of everything and it takes their families hostage.”
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