Making the Case for Treatment

From left, Walter Allen, director of the California Youth Authority; Kathryn P. Jett, director of the California Department of Alcohol and Drug programs; Randolph Muck, public health advisor, CSAT; and Winnie Wechsler, executive director of Phoenix House in California.

The shortage of substance abuse treatment for adolescents in California has reached a level of crisis, with less than 10 percent of teens receiving the help they desperately need. In late May, 2004, Phoenix Houses of California hosted a two-day conference that brought together leading officials, policymakers, experts and advocates from throughout California, to address the problem and work together to find solutions.

The conference, "Bridging the Adolescent Treatment Gap," underwritten by a grant from the federal government's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), was attended by more than 400 key players in the field. Kathryn Jett, director of the state of California's Department of Alcohol & Drug Programs made the opening remarks, calling upon those in attendance to make an investment in adolescent substance abuse treatment. Studies have shown that every $1 invested in treatment yields a return between $4 and $7 reduction in drug-related crime and criminal justice costs. When the healthcare costs of substance abuse are factored in, the savings approach $12 for every $1 invested in treatment.

The recommendations made at the conference, and outlined in the Charles & Helen Schwab Foundation's recently released report, "The Need to Invest in Adolescent Treatment: A Report for California Policy Makers," include:

• Establishing a governor's council to address the statewide crisis.
• Creating uniform program and credentialing standards for adolescent substance abuse treatment providers in California, and standardized, screening and assessment protocols to identify at-risk youth.
• Ensuring state mandated health insurance plans cover adolescent substance abuse treatment.

"The conference was instrumental in raising awareness of the problem and enhancing understanding among all agencies involved," said Elizabeth Stanley-Salazar, director of public policy for Phoenix Houses of California. "We need to work together to ensure that adolescents across California receive the help they need."