PARKERSBURG - The direct cost of substance abuse problems to West Virginia is $470 million annually.
"This is a costly social and major financial problem. West Virginians consume 40 million gallons of beer a year, with 21 percent of that being consumed by those under the legal drinking age. We lead the nation in the number of per capita prescriptions, the highest rate in the nation. Eighty-five percent of the unintentional drug overdoses in the state were the result of prescription drugs, primarily painkillers. Eighty percent of the juvenile offenders in the state are substance abusers," said Dr. Wayne Coombs of the West Virginia Prevention Resource Center.
Coombs spoke at a Prevention Showcase Wednesday at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. The meeting was held by The Wood County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.
For Wood County, the direct cost is nearly $23 million a year, Coombs told the audience of law enforcement, social service, education, county, state and regional officials.
"These costs are what we end up paying because we are failing to address these problems. West Virginia lacks adequate investment to solve these problems, new funds will be needed to impact these issues. The Partnership recommends the Legislature invest 5 percent of the direct financial burden of substance abuse, which amounts to approximately $23.5 million annually," Coombs said. Of that total, 75 percent would go to programs and practices; 20 percent for administration and management and 5 percent for assessment, research and evaluation.
Coombs said the funding need to be sustained for a minimum of 10 years and programs continually monitored. Grants would be distributed to certified programs based on needs. "I am confident in less than 10 years the system will pay for itself."
"Right now, we have a fragmented, uncoordinated effort in the state, ineffective capacity, lack of data and capacity information, lack of communication and inadequate resources to address these problems," Coombs said, noting right now there are inadequate resources directed to prevention, and early intervention, those receive only federal flow-through funding directed through the state. He said while resources that are directed to treatment are also inadequate.
"We are maybe getting 5-7 percent of the people who need treatment," he said. "There are about 91,000 people who need treatment for alcohol and another 36,000 who need treatment for other drugs."
Coombs asked local law enforcement about the number of substance abuse problems they see.
"We estimate about 85 percent of all crimes in Wood County are related to drugs," said Wood County Sheriff Jeff Sandy.
"We are failing to deal with the problems, hurting our people and draining our trade," Coombs said, noting the importance of implementing the governor's strategic plan which was unveiled in November. "The plan includes development of comprehensive strategies, development of funding sources, and creation of statewide partnerships," Coombs said.
Research has shown that early intervention can save $2 million just for one individual over the lifespan of that person, Coombs noted.
Coombs explained county prevention partnerships will be created to devise local plans, and serve as channels for state resources. Officials said two local programs, S.O.B.E.R., (Service Observation Behavior Modification Education and Rehabilitation), a program operated through the county juvenile probation office aimed at prevention of underage drinking, and a program called Courage to Change Ministries.
"We are a faith-based 12-step outreach program which is proactive in education, prevention, and recovery. We collaborate with treatment centers and fellowship homes. We have been operating out of Belpre, Ohio, but are moving to Market Street and we serve six counties," said Glenna Tucker, with the ministries program.
Other aspects of the governor's plan call for surveys of students at all secondary schools every two years, annual reports to the governor and Legislature and a review of state law relating to substance abuse issues.
