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Millions meant for drug abuse services used for other purposes, study finds
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Funds coming from state-run alcohol stores were transferred to substance abuse programs, but a study finds only $55 million out of $72.6 million was spent.
The state's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission determined that the majority of Virginia agencies that provide substance abuse services don't evaluate the effectiveness of their treatment programs, despite being legally required to do so.
“While it is largely unknown whether Virginia prevention programs yield positive results, the allocation of existing resources could be improved with evaluations, greater state coordination and direction, and additional focus placed on ensuring the proper implementation of proven practices,” the report said.
Virginia's state budget directs the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to transfer money from state-run alcohol stores to substance abuse programs, but Virginia spent only $55 million out of $72.6 million of those funds on substance abuse prevention in 2006.
“This discount suggests that nearly $18 million intended for substance abuse treatment is being used for other purposes,” the report said.
A spokesman for the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget, which distributes state funds, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Virginia General Assembly commissioned the study in 2007, partly because of concerns that the programs weren't sufficiently available to substance abusers.
National studies have found that treatment programs can diminish the effect of substance abuse on government budgets.
Substance abuse cost Virginia's state and local governments $613 million in 2006, mostly in public safety, according to the study.
The study found that of the programs that were evaluated, most people who completed treatment cost state and local governments less and were more successful finding jobs and staying out of jail than those who did not.
tluntz@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
7:59 AM MST on Thu., Jun. 12, 2008 re: "Millions meant for drug abuse services used for other purposes, study finds"
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Examiner Reader said:
The state can't count,their idiots.We as tax payers spend 850 million dollars a year at DOC alone according to the 85% of incarserated people are their for substance use disorders(SUD) in one form or another,DOC has a billion dollars a year budget.When you use "tax payers math" here in Virginia we spend closer to 2.5 billion dollars a year on un treated SUD.Also thousands die each year as a result of SUD. I would also argue the amount actualy spent on treatment at the CSB/BHA level.Virginia is the worst state to live in if you have a SUD,unless you have stock in GEO (a billion dollar plus private prison and jail provider)
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