Letter: Sliding scale would help addicts afford treatment

The Board of Health listened to an appeal at its subsequent meeting and received a position paper I submitted in opposition to such a fee increase. It decided to reconsider this issue and will hear reports and statements at it's upcoming meeting on Aug. 27.

Of any underclass in America, the drug (ab)user, even one asking for help -- is the most easily vilified and ignored. The fact is that drug (ab)use disproportionately affects the young and poor. As opposed to the all-too-common derogatory descriptions, these users are just like you and me: They are our sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, wives and husbands.

The vital choice facing the board is: 1) Subsidize treatment costs of the underlying addiction and end high-risk behavior; or 2) Raise mandatory treatment fees and thereby block the access of many who simply can not afford it.

It does not matter what you think about drug use and users in order to support a sliding fee schedule. High fees keep more people using street drugs at a high risk of catching and spreading expensive -- and lethal -- diseases which, once caught, the county must pay to treat.

Sure, we can wait until users acquire and then spread AIDS, Hepatitis, TB and other hideous viruses and infections and then pay the price of their medical care -- rather than pay now to treat their addiction. By paying later, we can start the bidding at the door of the emergency room, paying $500 ($495 at last check) for a one-way ambulance ride. Room costs? Hundreds-plus per night. Services? Thousands per week. Staff? More thousands per week. Medicine? $1,400 and up per month.

This is a simple math equation. Not subsidizing prevention is the most stupid financial decision we and our county could ever make. And it is happening right now. But we can prevent the problem and save millions of dollars. While we're at it, we will also lighten the suffering and misery of users who ask for help, and the people who love them.

Call or write the Clark County Board of Health before Aug. 27 and tell them to establish an ability-to-oay sliding scale for treatment at the Addiction Treatment Center.

John Powers

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