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I recently began working in the treatment field, and was shocked to learn how underfunded and undersupported the field is.  Addiction is a serious public health concern, it affects generations of families.  Many, many children are affected, the Department of Human Services is over run with cases of children who cannot safely live with their parents due to their addictions.  The treatment center I have worked at had a spiral bound notebook full of names of women on a waiting list (it's a women and children only facility) ready for treatment, ready to work to get their kids back and out of protective services.  They sometimes have to wait very long periods of time to begin treatment.   I predict that as times get tougher financially, we will see addiction issues increase.  This issue affects all of us in some way, whether we are aware of it or not.  I'm not sure of a fair way to fund it, but it is a public health concern, that turns into a public safety concern when left untreated.

posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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