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TREATMENT
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Facts and Figures
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- At only $19 million, substance abuse treatment comprised ONLY 3%, the smallest portion, of total costs.
- An estimated $67.7 million was spent on child welfare costs related to substance abuse
- Total estimated drug-and alcohol-related costs of crime were $128.4 million, of which $79.3 million (62%) was attributed to drug-related crimes and $49.1 million (38%) was attributed to alcohol-related crimes
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The Maine Office of Substance Abuse reports that in 2002 the total estimated cost (treatment, morbidity, mortality, crime and medical care) of substance abuse in Maine was $681 million. These are staggering figures. What the report does not tell is the personal, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes triumphant, stories of the individuals who are either suffering themselves from substance abuse or the loved ones who are affected by this abuse. As many as 7 in 10 people are either addicted to, or affected in some way by, substance abuse. Chances are someone you know, an employee, co-worker, neighbor, family member or friend is struggling this very moment with alcoholism, illegal drug or prescription drug abuse. We cannot let the financial costs of substance abuse unintentionally overshadow the human face of the problem. Substance Abuse and Chemical Dependency is an illness, and as such deserves treatment.
- We subsidize a counselor’s time to provide individual counseling, education and run support groups for students at MDI High School.
- We contribute substantial financial support for the Acadia Family Center in Southwest Harbor. Acadia Family Center provides outpatient substance abuse counseling for persons addicted to alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs, and affected others. This support allows AFC to offer a sliding fee scale and treatment scholarships to uninsured or under-insured clients seeking help.
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