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Mental Health and Addictions
Press Release 2010-07
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration, 4.6 million adults
nationwide have co-occurring disorders. However,
only 6 percent receive treatment for both illnesses.
Nearly half, 47.5 percent, do not receive any
treatment, while 41.4 percent are treated only
for the mental illnesses and 5 percent receive
treatment only for substance use disorders.
J.D., homeless, indigent and addicted to alcohol
and other drugs in 1984 had a life different than
the life he has now. These days he enjoys his
family life, fishing and a successful career.
K.M. in 2006 had a history of depression, homelessness,
illegal drug use, hospitalization and several
suicide attempts. Today, K.M. has taken on the
role of social director in the city's co-occurring
disorders program and serves as president of two
groups in the agency's programs. He has become
a role model for treatment compliance and supports
others.
Throughout New Jersey, hundreds of such nonprofit
organizations serve hundreds of thousands of people
like J.D. and K.M.
However, in the midst of budget crises, many
states, including New Jersey, are reducing funding
for these vital services. These financial decisions
hurt not only the individuals and their families,
but also the state overall. While state leaders
see the immediate savings on the books, they have
lost sight of the long-term costs.
In New Jersey, the "savings" in FY
2011 would be $4.1 million from contract reductions
in the Division of Mental Health Services and
$3.3 million in the Division of Addiction Services.
The long-term costs -- which, in many cases, are
not so long-term -- are incurred throughout the
state from avoidable hospitalizations, incarceration,
homelessness, disability and unemployment. These
preventable consequences cost New Jersey taxpayers
several billion dollars in local and state taxes
every year, clearly much more than the savings
that state leaders believe they are achieving.
For example, the state spends an average of only
$600 in contract dollars for one year of community
outpatient services for an adult, whereas one
year of care in a state psychiatric hospital can
cost $178,000. Another striking example is the
cost of incarceration compared to community-based
addiction treatment. Incarceration costs $49,000
per year, while one year of residential treatment
represents an investment of $25,000.
Furthermore, treatment is much more effective
than incarceration. According to National Drug
Court data, 70 percent of addicted offenders who
receive treatment remain clean and sober for years,
while 70 percent of those who are not treated
are likely to return to jail or prison.
New Jersey cannot afford to "save money"
by cutting back on mental health and addiction
treatment and services.
State legislators and policymakers need to partner
with the nonprofit community to explore solutions
that give New Jersey and all of its residents
the opportunity to thrive.
Source: SPECIAL TO THE TIMES,
NJ.com – Debra L. Wentz, Ph.D - Monday,
June 21, 2010
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