Will's corner, 04/2012, v.13 no.2

              Office of Disability Concerns - nl13-2
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Will’s Corner Newsletter
April 2012
Volume 13, issue 2
Serving the Disability Community in Oklahoma
Addiction in Oklahoma: A Disease That Leaves No One Untouched
By Terri White
Commissioner, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Stories about substance abuse have been featured both prominently and frequently in the news lately, and for good reason. Addiction
is a complex illness that crosses over societal boundaries, affecting areas ranging from physical health to social issues to public safety
concerns. It is a disease that impacts hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans, either directly or indirectly.
As a state, Oklahoma now ranks number one in the nation for prescription drug abuse, for all age categories above age 12, with an
estimated 300,000 Oklahomans abusing painkillers. Although there is undoubtedly overlap, an estimated 245,000 Oklahomans above
age 12 also abuse or are dependent on alcohol or illicit drugs such as marijuana or methamphetamine.
Even though prescription drug abuse and methamphetamine addiction get a majority of the news coverage, alcohol still remains
Oklahoma’s most abused substance, as it has for decades, with an estimated 35.7 percent of adults receiving treatment services
through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in fiscal year 2011 listing alcohol as their “top drug
of choice.”
Rounding out the top four were marijuana at 19.3 percent; methamphetamine, 19.1 percent; and prescription drugs, 14.3 percent.
Regardless of the substance involved, it is obvious Oklahoma has a problem. Virtually no one remains untouched by the disease of
addiction, whether it be their own addiction, the addiction of a family member or loved one or, as taxpayers paying for consequences
associated with untreated addiction, such as higher incarceration rates and increased numbers of children entering the foster care
system.
Budget Cuts Have Affected Access to Treatment
The sad reality is that, although nearly a quarter of a million Oklahomans need substance abuse treatment, ODMHSAS was only able to
provide services to about 19,000 Oklahomans (adult and youth) during the past fiscal year, the vast majority of whom received
outpatient services. On any given day, there are 600-900 Oklahomans who are in need of a residential treatment program, but who
cannot get in because every bed is full.
In Oklahoma, an estimated 78 percent of adults and 80 percent of youth who need substance abuse treatment are not receiving
appropriate care. Access to care has always been a problem, but it has become even more difficult in recent years. Since 2009, state
and federal funding to the agency has been cut by more than $36.6 million—from $326.3 million to $289.8 million.
Service cuts have drastically reduced access to care statewide. They have impacted community services, local hospitals, all aspects of
our criminal justice system, children in state custody, our schools, and the overall health and well-being of our state. The cost of not
responding early means a heavier price to pay on the back end. This threatens our ability to treat others in need, because our
resources have been drained responding to the needs of those who have reached a crisis state, and leads to an even greater number
becoming more ill and more costly to the system and state.
The effect is felt far beyond that person. It is felt by families and by communities—costs that manifest in a variety of ways.
From a public health perspective, lack of access to services is directly related to many of the problems we face as a state—including
high incarceration rates, scores of children neglected or abused by parents with an untreated mental or addictive disorder,
uncompensated care at hospitals and social issues. The medical costs associated with untreated addiction and/or mental illness are
staggering. One in four of all hospital admissions is directly related to untreated mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders.
Most Oklahomans, in general, can expect to live to be about 72 years of age. However, for a person with an untreated addiction, life
expectancy drops by nearly 30 years—to an average of only 43.2 years.
As part of this year’s budget request, we are asking for an additional 100 residential substance abuse treatment beds. Funding of this
request would restore residential substance abuse services to pre-cut levels, which would help offset some of the tremendous need for
filling the treatment gap.
Access to treatment services must be a priority if we are going to help these individuals and their families, but early intervention and
prevention efforts to help stop the disease before it starts must be, as well.
Summary
Tremendous need still exists in our state, as rates of prescription drug abuse continue to rise; waiting lists to obtain services continue to
grow; and our state remains historically above the national average for its rate of incarceration.
As an agency, we have responded by implementing programs that are making a difference today and laying the foundation for a better
tomorrow. Significant progress has been made in the areas of alternatives-to-incarceration, use of technology to expand treatment
options, and advancing programs to assist children and families.
Reducing stigma, emphasizing prevention, and increasing access to care are all necessary if we are to progress in treating addiction.
Additionally, integration with physical healthcare—particularly within primary care and emergency room settings—to implement
screenings for substance abuse, depression and suicide risk, are essential.
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