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Office of Disability Concerns - nl13-2 file:///Y|/News_Letters/Newsletters/Will's%20Corner/2012-04%20wills%20corner.htm[5/16/2012 9:22:08 AM] Office of Disability Concerns Share | Print | Print Home / Information / Newsletters / nl13-2 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. FAQs Contact Site Index Calendar of Events Information A.D.A Employment C.A.P. About ODC Agency ADA Coordinators
Object Description
Okla State Agency |
Disability Concerns, Oklahoma Office of |
Okla Agency Code |
'326' |
Title | Will's corner, 04/2012, v.13 no.2 |
Authors |
Oklahoma. Office of Disability Concerns. |
Publication Date | 2012-04 |
Publication type |
Newsletter |
Purpose | Addiction in Oklahoma: a Disease That Leaves No One Untouched / Terri White |
Notes | Serving the Disability Community in Oklahoma |
For all issues click | H320.6 W741c |
Digital Format | PDF, Adobe Reader required |
ODL electronic copy | Downloaded from agency website: http://www.ok.gov/odc/Information/Newsletters/nl13-2.html |
Rights and Permissions | This Oklahoma state government publication is provided for educational purposes under U.S. copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders. |
Language | English |
Date created | 2012-05-16 |
Date modified | 2012-05-16 |
OCLC number | 890218675 |
Description
Title | 2012-04 wills corner 1 |
Full text | Office of Disability Concerns - nl13-2 file:///Y|/News_Letters/Newsletters/Will's%20Corner/2012-04%20wills%20corner.htm[5/16/2012 9:22:08 AM] Office of Disability Concerns Share | Print | Print Home / Information / Newsletters / nl13-2 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. FAQs Contact Site Index Calendar of Events Information A.D.A Employment C.A.P. About ODC Agency ADA Coordinators |
Date created | 2012-05-16 |
Date modified | 2012-05-16 |