Weather
Addiction Treatment Advocates Call for More Alcohol Tax Money for ProgramsSay 50 percent of tax is not enough, given epidemicRelated Content
ALASKA - Calling substance abuse an epidemic in Alaska, advocates of treatment and prevention say the key to getting more people help is by increasing the amount of dollars used from the alcohol beverage tax – money they say could save lives. The numbers are quite frankly embarrassing and heartbreaking, with substance abuse playing a role in nine of Alaska's top ten causes of death. A list of groups from restaurants to bars to even the Anchorage Assembly say only using 50 percent of the alcohol sin tax is not enough if we want stop the tragic cycle of addiction. “This is the best I've done being addicted to drugs,” said Holly, who’s getting treated for her addiction to prescription meds. “This is the cleanest I’ve ever been.” It’s a long road to recovery that Holly, who is pregnant, first started when she used drugs with a boyfriend as a teenager. “He was using them partying and I dabbled a little bit in OxyContin.” It became a cycle of abuse that not even her family could get her out of. “That was very, very scary for me. I looked for all kinds of different ways to get help,” Holly said. But the problem is the help takes a lot longer than you would think because there isn't enough funding to support the demand. “Some cases it could be six months or a year,” said Anna Sappah, the executive director of Alaska Addiction Professionals Association. “[We’ve] got programs that aren't running at full capacity because they don't have the staff and manpower.” This year, the state made $40 million on alcohol taxes. Half of it goes toward treating and preventing substance abuse. Drug counselors say the other half should be used for treatment, as well, if we want fewer addicts. “While people were waiting on their waiting list they actually died of the disease of addiction, either overdosed, or you'll hear of folks freezing to death,” said Sappah. “If people want help, help should be available for them,” said APD spokesman Lieutenant Dave Parker. “If you have people on a waiting list, those people are motivated at least at the time that they write their name on the list.” “Really, you're not going to do it unless you're ready, nobody can force you,” said Holly, who adds she and her baby are alive because she got help. The state says this year they have spent $42 million on treatment for about 7,000 people, with 450 waiting to be served. But when you hear that 690 people were arrested for drug related offenses in Anchorage this year and that 484 sit in prisons statewide, its a push from both private and government organizations for 100 percent of the alcohol taxes to get that extra $19 million they say will lower numbers and cut down costs. |
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
LEGALIZE MARIJUANA said on Wednesday, Feb 29 at 6:14 AM
And tax it heavily, mandating ALL the revenue be used to finance treatment for ALL substance abuse. As for Jem-Hagar's comment there is money "in abundance for treatment", it is apparent THEY should seek treatment immediately. Even WITH money there is virtually NO residential treatment available in Alaska. And out idiotic "war on drugs" CAUSES MANY MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT SOLVES. Remember Al Capone? Think the Mexican Cartels are something NEW?
82579326tom said on Tuesday, Feb 28 at 9:21 PM
do you think that keeping hundreds of people in jail is free? if you care about taxes and the proper use of public funds, supplying treatment funds is much more cost effective than prison time.
82558093Jem-Hadar said on Tuesday, Feb 28 at 2:53 PM
More taxes more taxes more taxes. NO enough is enough. Stronger punishments for drug and alcohol offenses. Of those 690 arrested, and 484 sitting in prison how many of them were drug trafficking violations? How many of the others were bargained down to misdemeanor crimes? I do understand that there is a need for help for those that WANT to get help. Take their tax refunds (if applicable), and garnish their PFD's to help pay for these programs. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, we (the state of Alaska residents) are over taxed as it is already. We pay A LOT more for goods & services then most any other state (I said most). There are government grants available in abundance for such treatments, last I was aware of approximately $15,000.00 per person that applies for the grant, which goes for treatments not into their pockets.
82528542Add a comment
Most Popular