Drug Use: Vermont problems, Vermont solutions Op-Ed piece:
Approx 605 words Submitted: August 17, 2004 By Barbara Cimaglio
Recent news accounts about the latest National Survey on Drugs
and Health told Vermonters what we already knew: We’ve got a
sizeable drug problem here. In fact, according to the federal
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
Vermont has one of the highest rates of drug use in the nation.
The report, which was based on a 2002 survey and was consistent
with earlier surveys, came as no surprise. Five years ago, 4,500
Vermonters came to the state-sponsored services seeking
treatment for substance abuse problems. By last year, that
annual number had grown to 7,741. The Douglas Administration has
implemented a comprehensive prevention and treatment strategy,
and committed substantial resources to implement community-based
programs. The Administration has gathered together scattered
programs throughout state government and added major new
initiatives in an integrated approach