All posts tagged Illinois substance abuse treatment

Advocates Tell Gov. Pat Quinn Substance Abuse, Mental Illness Are “Connected”

Sara Moscato Howe

Sara Moscato Howe

(Springfield, IL) – Mental illness. Substance abuse. In most tragedies, the two are connected.

A top Illinois behavioral health advocate today praised Governor Pat Quinn for citing mental health care as a top priority in an Illinois public safety strategy in his recent state of the state speech, but warns that substance abuse treatment must be included in the policy mix.

“Any strategy to address mental health care without also addressing substance use disorders will fall short.”  said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO, Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association.

“While there may be a high correlation of gun violence or domestic abuse tragedies with mental illness, there is also a strong relationship of mental illness with unaddressed substance use disorders,” Howe stated.

Quinn highlighted mental health care in his speech to Illinois lawmakers in Springfield on February 6.

“We must move forward with a comprehensive plan that includes gun safety legislation, mental health care, and violence prevention strategies,” said the governor during his remarks.

Shrinking access to care for those struggling with mental illness is a direct result of Illinois state government decreased funding support for mental healthcare.  For those with untreated, or undiagnosed mental health issues, it is common that symptoms are managed through the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, noted Howe.

“People struggling with mental illness who have no access to professional treatment, self-medicate, often abusing drugs or alcohol in an effort to manage their mental illness,” said Howe. “That’s why any behavioral health care strategy to address public safety must include substance abuse prevention and treatment.”

Howe noted that state funding for substance use disorder treatment has also plunged, dropping 29% since 2009.  State funding for addiction prevention has been obliterated, falling by 87% in the past five fiscal years.

“If behavioral healthcare is to play a central role in an Illinois public safety strategy to reduce violent crime, then Governor Quinn and the legislature will need to fully fund services for Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders,” said Howe.

“Illinois is already paying the price for past behavioral healthcare budget cuts.”

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by Jud DeLoss on February 12, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Substance Abuse Treatment
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on February 12, 2013

https://ilabh.net/2013/02/12/advocates-tell-gov-pat-quinn-substance-abuse-mental-illness-are-connected/

Governor Quinn Vetoes Illinois Doomsday Budget, Lawmakers to Return to Springfield

(Springfield, IL) — Governor Pat Quinn has made good on his promise to veto the Illinois doomsday budget or ‘50% budget’ – SB 1197.

Quinn delivered his veto message this afternoon at his office in Springfield.

“This bill … is a halfway measure that fails to address the dire consequences of the state’s declining revenues, widening deficit, increased demand for critical human services, and the weak U.S. economy,” Quinn wrote to lawmakers.

Gov. Pat Quinn vetoed the Illinois doomsday budget yesterday.

Governor Pat Quinn vetoed the Illinois doomsday budget yesterday.

Also, shortly before the Governor delivered his veto message, Senate President John Cullerton and House Speaker Michael Madigan announced a joint session of the Illinois Senate and House to:

‘take action on any vetoes, amendatory vetoes, or reduction vetoes by the Governor of legislation related to the budget for Fiscal Year 2010 and (ii) to consider any legislation, pending or otherwise, related in any way to the budget for Fiscal Year 2010, including but not limited to appropriation, budget implementation, or additional revenue resources.’

“While it is unknown what will transpire during the joint session on July 14, it does not change our message to legislators: they work must together with the Governor to find a permanent solution to this budget crisis when they return to Springfield,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA).

If they fail, more than 65,000 Illinois residents will struggling to overcome drug or alcohol addiction will lose substance abuse treatment services, Howe noted.

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by Jud DeLoss on July 2, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in Governor Pat Quinn, Illinois Budget
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on July 2, 2009

https://ilabh.net/2009/07/02/governor-quinn-vetoes-illinois-doomsday-budget-lawmakers-to-return-to-springfield/

State Cash Crunch Slows Payments to Substance Abuse Treatment Providers to Trickle, $52 Million Overdue

(Springfield, IL) – The State of Illinois’ inability to pay its bills on time—as long as 90 day delays in many cases—has created an estimated payment backlog of $52 million to local alcohol and drug treatment providers. The backlog is forcing many to tap lines of credit, spend savings, cut jobs, and it is igniting fears of deep service cuts.

“Treatment providers are draining savings, taking short-term loans, and cutting jobs to keep day-to-day operations afloat,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, which represents 50 community substance abuse prevention and treatment providers across Illinois.

“Agencies are already burdened by the $55 million cut from their budgets this year,” said Moscato Howe.

Moscato Howe notes that the Illinois Comptroller says payments now average 47 business days once the bill reaches the Comptroller, but she estimates that in reality the state has fallen behind nearly 90 days on approximately $52 million in payments to local agencies because the state is dragging its feet on processing the bills.

Springfield’s Triangle Center, which provides alcohol and drug treatment, has been waiting 100 days for the state to pay $600,000 that is overdue. Triangle Center has begun to turn away at least 500 people who will need help this year.

“Because of prior budget cuts and the state’s failure to pay the $600,000 it owes, this year we will turn away 500 people who need help,” said Steve Know, CEO of Triangle.

In downstate Quincy, treatment provider Great River Recovery Resources, which the state owes $40,000 for Medicaid services alone, has gone unpaid for 90 and likely will close programs in December.

“The state’s failure to pay its bills will likely lead us to a broad elimination of programs and services,” said Ron Howell, CEO of Great River Recovery Resources.

Aggravating the providers’ plight is the cut of $55 million—or 43%—from the state addiction treatment budget on July 9. Legislation, SB 1103, approved by the legislature that would restore the $55 million to drug treatment is on the Governor’s desk, according to Moscato-Howe.

In State Fiscal Year 2008, nearly 98,000 people received substance abuse treatment services through the state’s publicly-funded system.

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by Jud DeLoss on October 31, 2008  •  Permalink
Posted in Uncategorized
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on October 31, 2008

https://ilabh.net/2008/10/31/state-cash-crunch-slows-payments-to-substance-abuse-treatment-providers-to-trickle-52-million-overdue/

More than 1,500 Alcohol, Drug Treatment Clients, Advocates March on James R. Thompson Center, Urging State Senate to Override Governor’s Vetoes

(Chicago, IL) – On July 22, more than 1,500 advocates and clients marched at the James R. Thompson Center in

More than 1,500 demonstrators march on the James R. Thompson Center calling on the Illinois Senate to return to Springfield and overrid Gov. Rod Blagojevichs budget vetoes.

More than 1,500 demonstrators march on the James R. Thompson Center calling on the state Senate to return to Springfield and overrid Gov. Blagojevich's budget vetoes.

Chicago to urge Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago) to return to Springfield and restore more than $43 million to the state budget for alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment and recovery support programs.

Governor Rod Blagojevich recently vetoed the money, and the Illinois House overrode that veto last week.

“If the Senate fails to override the Governor’s veto, the prevention and treatment system in Illinois will throw more than 42,000 people out of care, igniting a health care crisis,” stated Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA).

Blagojevich cut $58 million from addiction treatment services and also line-item vetoed money from specific programs: victims of domestic violence, women returning from incarceration, youth treatment, youth in the court system, and women receiving federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families who require treatment to be employed.

Haymarket Executive Vice President Anthony Cole addresses marchers.

Haymarket Executive Vice President Anthony Cole addresses marchers.

The House was able to override only $43 million of the vetoed money.

If the Governor’s cuts remain, the Illinois Department of Human Services-Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse will also lose $55 million in federal matching funds and witness its $253 million annual budget fall by $110 million, or 43%.

A 43% budget reduction will eliminate treatment for 42,140 people out of 98,000 currently served by state-financed community providers, Moscato Howe estimates.

“These cuts will swamp Illinois hospital emergency rooms and local jails with thousands from the fallout of untreated addiction,” said Moscato Howe.

Currently, untreated addiction costs the State of Illinois $3 billion a year. Increases in health insurance rates,

Demonstrator express their frustration with the state political leaders.

Demonstrator express their frustration with the state political leaders.

incarceration of non-violent drug offenders, domestic violence, on-the-job accidents, lost worker productivity, school drop-out rates, teen pregnancy, and traffic accidents and fatalities are all attributable to untreated addiction, says Moscato Howe.

Additionally, the loss of the Federal dollars will eliminate the state’s community-based prevention system, because it will lose more than 85 percent of its existing funding.

“Without the Federal money, every community-based prevention provider will be shuttered,” said Moscato Howe.

“We urge Senator Jones to return to Springfield and override the Governor’s vetoes,” said Moscato Howe.

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by Jud DeLoss on July 29, 2008  •  Permalink
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on July 29, 2008

https://ilabh.net/2008/07/29/000-alcohol-drug-treatment-clients-advocates-march-on-thompson-center-urging-senate-to-override-gov-vetoes/

Advocates Urge Restoration of $55 Million for Drug, Alcohol Treatment Vetoed by Blagojevich

(Chicago, IL) – Advocates on July 14 appeared at a Chicago press conference to urge Governor Rod

Pastor Ray Mosby of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Robbins, Illinois, speaks to reporters

Pastor Ray Mosby of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Robbins, Illinois, speaks to reporters.

Blagojevich and the Illinois General Assembly to restore more than $55 million to the state budget for alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment programs.

The money was vetoed by the Governor last week.

“If the Governor’s budget cuts stand, the prevention and treatment system in Illinois will be crippled, throwing more than 42,000 people out of care,” stated Allen Sandusky, Board President of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA).

“The Governor and General Assembly must set-aside their differences and restore the funding,” said Sandusky.

Blagojevich cut $55 million from addiction treatment services and also line-item vetoed money from specific programs: victims of domestic violence, women returning from incarceration, youth treatment, youth in the court system, and women receiving federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families who require treatment to

IADDA Chairman Allen Sandusky addresses reporters.

IADDA Chairman Allen Sandusky addresses reporters.

be employed.

If the Governor’s cuts remain, the Illinois Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse will also lose $55 million in federal matching funds and witness its $253 million annual budget fall by $110 million, or 43%

“Cuts of this magnitude will expose Illinois hospital emergency rooms and local jails to the financial and human fallout of untreated addiction this year and years to come,” said Sandusky.

Currently, untreated addiction costs the State of Illinois $3 billion a year. Increases in health insurance rates, incarceration of non-violent drug offenders, domestic violence, on-the-job accidents, lost worker productivity, school drop-out rates, teen pregnancy, and traffic accidents and fatalities are all attributable to untreated addiction, says Sandusky.

Shannon, a nurse and pregnant mother, tells reporters that treatment has kept her drug free for 4 1/2 months and has saved her life.

Shannon, a nurse and pregnant mother, tells reporters that treatment has kept her drug free for 4 1/2 months and has saved her life.

Additionally, the loss of the Federal dollars will eliminate the state’s community-based prevention system, because it will lose more than 85 percent of its existing funding.

“Currently, our statewide substance abuse prevention system serves youth ages 12 to 17,” said Sandusky. “Without the Federal money, every community-based prevention provider will close.”

“We urge the General Assembly and the Governor to work together to resolve the budget challenges and restore full-funding to Illinois’ substance abuse treatment system,” said Sandusky.

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by Jud DeLoss on July 18, 2008  •  Permalink
Posted in Governor Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Budget, Illinois General Assembly, Substance Abuse Treatment
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Posted by Jud DeLoss on July 18, 2008

https://ilabh.net/2008/07/18/advocates-urge-restoration-of-55-million-for-drug-alcohol-treatment-vetoed-by-blagojevich/