CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 257-1754, Ext. 231

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CONTACT: Keith Hautala, (859) 257-1754, ext. 231

Robert Walker available for comment; please call to arrange interview.

FOR RELEASE

New Report: Increased Prevention, Treatment

Could Curb Meth Problem, SaveState Millions

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June19, 2008) − Kentucky, like the rest of the U.S., is grappling with problems related to an apparent rise in methamphetamine abuse. However, the popular perception of a "meth epidemic" tends to overstate the role played by that drug in the overall picture of substance abuse in Kentucky. In fact, alcohol, marijuana and prescription opiates are the state's biggest and most costly drug problems, and more attention to treatment and research could lead to saving tax dollars.

That's one of the findings of a two-year, comprehensive report commissioned by University of Kentucky President Lee T. Todd. The report, "Report on Methamphetamine and Other Drug Use in Kentucky," was conducted in response to growing concerns across Kentucky about the problems associated with abuse of – and addiction to – methamphetamine.

At Todd’s request, Sharon Turner, dean of the College of Dentistry and Robert Walker, assistant professor in Behavioral Science, drew together a group of researchers, clinicians, and other experts to examine Kentucky’s emerging substance use problems.

"This report – conducted by colleges across our campus in a collaborative and interdisciplinary fashion – is exactly what flagship, land-grant institutions should be doing for the states they serve," Todd said. "We're tackling a growing problem in Kentucky, one of those 'Kentucky Uglies' that pose challenges for our citizens, our businesses, and our communities. Our research, though, highlights areas for solutions that could also save a lot of money."

Thereport suggests the state could potentially save tens of millions of dollars in future law-enforcement, health care, child welfare and prison costs by investing in research and improving our efforts at drug-abuse awareness, prevention and treatment.

The report contends that while methamphetamine abuse is a growing problem in Kentucky, it continues to trail abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs as a public health concern among medical professionals. However, the report notes the growing problems that methamphetamine use presents, particularly for state-funded agencies responsible for corrections, child protective services and substance abuse treatment systems.

In particular, recommendations include more training and education for the state's medical, dental and child-welfare professionals to improve early detection, prevention and treatment of drug abuse, and more support for prevention and treatment programs.

Previous studies in Kentucky have shown that for every dollar spent on treatment there are savings to taxpayers of $4.00 - $5.00. The studies are supported by other national studies showing the same or greater cost savings.

The commission, made up of leaders from 10 colleges, centers and departments at the University of Kentucky, was created in 2005. It conducted pilot studies investigating the effects of methamphetamine and other drug abuse on the state's health, child welfare, law enforcement and industry.

Among the report's preliminary findings:

Methamphetamine problem worse in Western Kentucky: Of physicians surveyed, 26.9 percent from Western Kentucky counties identified methamphetamine abuse as the most serious drug problem among adult patients, compared with 7.3 percent from Eastern Kentucky and 2.8 percent in FayetteCounty.

Arrests rising as methamphetamine spreads eastward: In 1995, most of the state's meth-related arrests were concentrated in Western Kentucky. By 2004, significant concentrations of meth-related arrests were present in all regions of the state, while remaining high in the west. In the same 10-year period, all but five Kentucky counties reported significant increases in meth-related arrests. (Fayette County was one of the exceptions, reporting a reduction from 403 meth-related arrests in 1995 to 83 in 2004.)
Methamphetamine costing Kentucky millions: The total costs associated with meth to Kentucky are difficult to accurately assess. In addition to actual costs, the opportunity costs of avoiding prevention and treatment, such as lost economic productivity and corresponding tax revenue, must be considered. The numbers below provide just a few examples of what methamphetamine costs Kentucky:
Dentists' average estimate of cost to restore dental health to the typical "meth mouth" case: $5,664.
Estimated average minimum cost to child protective services to care for a child removed from a home where a caregiver used methamphetamine: $13,917.
Average yearly cost of imprisonment for one meth-related criminal offender: $19,000.

Methamphetamine exposes children to trauma: Nearly all children removed from homes of caregivers with reported abuse of methamphetamine (90.3 percent) or other substances (82.4 percent) were exposed to some sort of traumatic event, compared with 56 percent removed from homes with no reported drug use.Children in homes where a caregiver used methamphetamine were significantly more likely to directly experience trauma from endangerment (38.2 percent), physical abuse (29.9 percent) or chemical exposure (22.9 percent). Further research is needed to help child protective services better assess and respond to the needs of drug-endangered children.
More resources needed for prevention and treatment:Doctors and dentists need more training on how to identify drug abuse problems among their patients, and where to refer patients for treatment. More consideration should be given to community-based treatment alternatives to prison, and to aftercare for prisoners returning to their communities. Pain specialty clinics that use behavioral and other (non-opiate) medical approaches could reduce opioid over-prescribing.
Alcohol, pain pills top drug concerns for Kentucky doctors: Of physicians surveyed, alcohol was identified as the most serious drug problem among adult patients by 85.9 percent in FayetteCounty, 48.1 percent in Western Kentucky and 29.1 percent in Eastern Kentucky. The same survey found non-medical use of prescription opiates was the top drug concern for 60 percent of physicians in Eastern Kentucky, 40.4 percent in Western Kentucky and 28.2 percent in FayetteCounty.

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