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A Publication of United Way of Salt Lake |
July 12, 2007
I’d like to draw your attention to a problem of growing proportions, the affects of which can be seen across our communities, schools, homes, hospitals, and prisons. The problem is substance abuse. This is one of the 17 priority problems identified in our 2007 Community Assessment. There are an estimated 13 million illicit drug users in the United States, while an estimated 20 – 25 million Americans abuse alcohol. Another 12 million are estimated to abuse prescription drugs.
What’s more, Glen Lambert, executive director of the Odyssey House, tells us an estimated 80 percent of those in prison are there partly because of substance abuse problems. Truly, substance abuse is an invasive problem that ripples through all aspects of life, fostering crime, domestic violence, child abuse, homelessness, and medical/neurological issues.
According to the results of a State Substance Abuse Treatment Needs Assessment Survey and Student Health and Risk Prevention Survey, over 100,000 Utah adults and youths were in need of substance abuse treatment in 2006. Within Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties, nearly 49,000 adults and 10,000 youths are in need of substance abuse treatment. Summit County, with one of the state’s highest per capita household income levels, also has the highest percentage of adults and youths in need of treatment (13% and 11%, respectively). Clearly, substance abuse impacts all areas of our society.
Substance abuse destroys human potential, often affecting many generations. To overcome this serious problem, treatment and prevention efforts must address both medical conditions and lifestyle issues, in order to truly help individuals and families. Unfortunately, private treatment programs can be very expensive, and the vast majority of those in need can’t afford treatment.
In Utah’s nonprofit sector, the need for treatment far exceeds the resources available. Statewide in 2006, less than 20 percent of adults in need of substance abuse services received public services, down from 24 percent in 2002. In 2006, about 13 percent of youths in need of substance abuse services received public treatment, down from 17 percent in 2004. The total number of individuals receiving public substance abuse treatment services decreased from 19,668 in 2002 to 18,955 in 2006.
Public and nonprofit treatment programs are filled and overflowing, with long waiting lists. Nonetheless, these organizations are having remarkable success. United Way of Salt Lake is making significant investments in the area of substance abuse treatment and prevention. Together we can send a message of hope and caring to those afflicted.
Deborah S. Bayle
President and CEO
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COMMUNITY MATTERS |
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I’d like to draw your attention to a problem of growing proportions, the affects of which can be seen across our communities, schools, homes, hospitals, and prisons. The problem is substance abuse. This is one of the 17 priority problems identified in our 2007 Community Assessment. There are an estimated 13 million illicit drug users in the United States, while an estimated 20 – 25 million Americans abuse alcohol. Another 12 million are estimated to abuse prescription drugs.
What’s more, Glen Lambert, executive director of the Odyssey House, tells us an estimated 80 percent of those in prison are there partly because of substance abuse problems. Truly, substance abuse is an invasive problem that ripples through all aspects of life, fostering crime, domestic violence, child abuse, homelessness, and medical/neurological issues.
According to the results of a State Substance Abuse Treatment Needs Assessment Survey and Student Health and Risk Prevention Survey, over 100,000 Utah adults and youths were in need of substance abuse treatment in 2006. Within Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties, nearly 49,000 adults and 10,000 youths are in need of substance abuse treatment. Summit County, with one of the state’s highest per capita household income levels, also has the highest percentage of adults and youths in need of treatment (13% and 11%, respectively). Clearly, substance abuse impacts all areas of our society.
Substance abuse destroys human potential, often affecting many generations. To overcome this serious problem, treatment and prevention efforts must address both medical conditions and lifestyle issues, in order to truly help individuals and families. Unfortunately, private treatment programs can be very expensive, and the vast majority of those in need can’t afford treatment.
In Utah’s nonprofit sector, the need for treatment far exceeds the resources available. Statewide in 2006, less than 20 percent of adults in need of substance abuse services received public services, down from 24 percent in 2002. In 2006, about 13 percent of youths in need of substance abuse services received public treatment, down from 17 percent in 2004. The total number of individuals receiving public substance abuse treatment services decreased from 19,668 in 2002 to 18,955 in 2006.
Public and nonprofit treatment programs are filled and overflowing, with long waiting lists. Nonetheless, these organizations are having remarkable success. United Way of Salt Lake is making significant investments in the area of substance abuse treatment and prevention. Together we can send a message of hope and caring to those afflicted.
Deborah S. Bayle
President and CEO