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WE NEED YOU TO WRITE LETTERS TO STOP THE CUTS TO OUR 32 MEDICAL DETOX BEDS.

Ask them to stop the discussions of cutting Louisiana's only remaining 32 medical Detox beds.  (look upYour local representative and senator)

Example of an actual letter in MS Word format
Download Samantha's Letter   or use the letter below by cutting and pasting into an e-mail, fax, or U.S. mail letter and customizing with your own personal information.

******Please send us a Copy******* and  cc: HopeNetowrks in your own letter; then forward a copy to Info@Hopenetworks or a faxed copy to our toll free fax 1- 800-299-1486 *********************************************************
LETTER FOR YOU TO USE WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFO:

Your local representative and senator
P. O. Box 000
City, LA 00000

VIA FACSIMILE

RE:  Please help us save the only 32 medical detox beds in Louisiana.

Dear Your Dear (Senator or Rep):

I am writing you to ask for your help.  We must act quickly to prevent the proposed budget cuts at Charity hospital in New Orleans, which include 20 of Louisiana's existing 32 statewide medical detox beds.  The existing 32 beds are supposed to meet the needs of all 4.4 million state residents who seek help for alcohol and other drug problems that require medical care during the detox process.  This means our district, along with the rest of the state, will be impacted by these proposed cuts. 

I actually believe that we should be increasing these beds if we are to start saving dollars in Louisiana.   It is not even reasonable to suggest these cuts, when we know Louisiana saves $5 for every $1 we spend to treat the disease of addiction, according to the OAD Economic Impact study conducted by economist Loren Scott in 2003.

I am writing you today to ask that you do whatever necessary to prevent our loss of the only existing medical detox beds in Louisiana.  Please request that no cuts be made to substance abuse detox beds currently available at Charity Hospital.   This request should go to the president of LSU Hospitals, James Brexler  (Charity Hospital).  These beds are life and death for those suffering from the disease of addiction.

Other Facts about Louisiana and our Treatment Crisis:
Critical Care-Medical detox beds are critical for those who medically can not live life free from alcohol and other drugs without medical care.

§         Enormous Need- More than 1000 people are on waiting lists for substance abuse treatment across the state on any given day.
o        Places huge burden on Louisiana’s Emergency Room’s straining the private healthcare systems

§         Saves Money- Treatment saves Louisiana an average of $5 for every $1 we spend treating the disease.

§         Only  8% of Louisiana residents who ask for help with alcohol and other drug problems get help, the national average is more than 21%

This request for help from you requires your urgent attentions, as the proposed cuts are to  take effect on August 21, 2003.  With the very limited services available in Louisiana, additional cuts are just not acceptable, thousands of us recover from the disease of addiction and go on to work, raise families, and give back to those who reach for help in our communities. 

I thank you for your help in preventing what amounts to eliminating medical detox services in Louisiana. I would be glad to discuss this with further and you may contact me (fill in your contact info)  Please also follow up with me to let me  know the results of your efforts to prevent the elimination of 20 substance abuse medical detox beds currently available  at Charity Hospital. 

Sincerely,