250,000 people reported dependence on drugs in North Carolina, yet only 10% are being treated by the current health system. The numbers of people reporting dependence on alcohol were more than double than addiction at 550,000 and the treatment rate was less than 5%.
These findings, provided by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine, also called on the General Assembly of North Carolina to provide the funding necessary for vast changes to the current substance abuse health care system.
The Report recommended a 38 million dollar increase in state funding for the 2010 fiscal year and an additional 30 million dollar increase in 2011. This would bring the state to a level of spending with the rest of the United States.
The spending increase would mainly focus on prevention and an increase in certified substance abuse counselors.
The report directed the military to continue to find effective treatment solutions for veterans. The study found that of more than 88,000 soldiers who returned from active duty in Iraq, 20.3% were identified as needing mental health or substance abuse treatment.
The study found that Funding evidence-based prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery supports will lead to longer-term cost savings, with savings of four to five dollars for every one dollar spent on substance abuse prevention, $9 and up to $12 for every dollar spent on substance abuse treatment.
