NEEDS FOR LOUISIANA’S FUTURE

 Access to treatment for anyone who has been assessed and found in need of a particular level of    care. This means inpatient, outpatient, and extended residential care.

(I don’t mean waiting for six months until the disease persuades them to try self-control again either!)

Board certified substance abuse counselors assessing all criminal justice clients for need of treatment.

(I mean pre-trial diversion, post adjudicated, incarcerated, and pre-release from incarceration. People who don’t know better or how to access outside services won’t be able to abstain form alcohol and drugs for long. In fact the number one thing most look forward to after incarceration is to get drunk/high, even if that is what got them there in the first place! Diversion and corrections should be about changing the person to prevent recidivism rather than current standards, which dictate collections instead of corrections!)

Stronger more enforceable laws concerning DWI’s, underage and adult.
Also mandated assessments on all alcohol or drug related charges. Domestic violence and assaults usually have this hidden or missed factor which has a most definite bearing.

More drug courts and alternatives for repeat drug offenders, such as long term residential treatment resources.

Stronger and more enforceable laws concerning underage drinking, accountability of sellers of all alcohol, package and bars.

State contracted sources other than large agencies. Most current contractors are used to keep control of funding. The “Little Guy” can’t compete with certain regulations designed and monitored by these contractors.

Competent counselors who are certified as well as clinical supervisors who also have been trained to oversee all counseling. 

HOW TO PAY FOR ALL OF THESE SERVICES?  TAX ALCOHOL INDUSTRY

STEPHEN R. DENMON, BCSAC