Cuts to health services are likely to add to Valley’s heroin woes

Problems caused by heroin addiction in the Mat-Su Valley range from property crimes like theft and burglary to violent offenses such as assault, armed robbery and even murder. And due to statewide budget cuts, it’s likely these problems are only going to get worse.

The House Finance Committee recently unveiled its proposed budget cuts package, which includes $120 million in reductions beyond the $100 million already proposed by Gov. Bill Walker. Among these cuts are $41 million to the Department of Health and Social Services, including $3 million in behavioral health grants.

Fairbanks Democrat David Guttenberg was quoted by Alaska Public Media as saying the cuts would result in increased costs to the court system be reducing the number of people who would get help for substance abuse issues.

However, Eagle River Republican Dan Saddler said tough cuts need to be made, and said Alaska is in a position where it needs to make “tough decisions” about where to spend its money. Saddler likened the problem of substance abuse to Alaska’s fiscal crisis, presumably trying to make the point that the state — like drug addicts — might benefit from facing their challenges head-on rather than “running away from them.”

This notion that addicts can somehow tough it out on their road to recovery is dangerous and fails to recognize the complicated world of drug addiction. Rather than “tough love” addicts need support and programs — and yes, those cost money — to help break the cycle of addiction. By cutting access to those vital services, the legislature will be doing far more long-term damage than were it to address the budget situation in other ways.

The only way the Mat-Su will get a handle on its heroin epidemic is through more treatment and public education programs. The alternative is more police and jail cells, which is about the least cost-effective way to deal with problem individuals. It costs about $50,000 per year to keep a person in jail for a year. It also costs countless dollars when addicts seeking a quick fix victimize community members.

The Legislature should realize that some cuts are more damaging than others. The less money the state spends on drug addiction recovery and prevention programs, the more we’ll all have to pay later to deal with these issues.