Earlier this week Rep. Chip Shield held evening hearings that looked at the connection between money spent on drug and alcohol treatment and money spent on prisons and other public services.
No surprise that when people get the treatment they need they are less likely to end up in prison and their children less likely to be in foster care. For every dollar spent on treatment, the Oregon Department of Human Services estimates savings of $4 to $7 in other costs.
During the hearing, Sen. Jackie Winters (R-Salem), said appropriate treatment for a parent with a drug problem can save thousands of dollars for foster care for a child in state custody and for a prison stay for the parent. She also called on ensuring that the public dollars spent on treatment are accounted for.
The Salem Statesman Journal covered the hearings and threats to programs that provide addictions treatment in their Sunday edition. Get the story here.
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