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Recovery in the News
Drug forum looks at solution
Ann Sanok
Seacoast Newspapers
December 7, 2007
Ex-addict says health insurers offer scant help
PLAISTOW — She was an IV drug user living on the streets as a teenager; now, over 18 years later, she is a professional woman working as the regional director for presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich.
Susan Bruce shared her personal story of addiction with an audience of elected officials, law-enforcement personnel, recovering addicts and citizens who gathered at Timberland High School on Sunday to hear candidates' plans to combat alcohol and drug abuse in New Hampshire and around the country.
Although no candidates attended, their views were presented by surrogates who came on behalf of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, former Sen. Mike Gravel, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Sen. Joe Biden, Sen. Barack Obama, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John McCain and former Sen. John Edwards. Recovering addict Matthew Walker told the audience and panelists that he struggles to pay for his methadone treatments. Walker said he attends a recovery clinic in Newington three days a week and wanted the candidates to understand the financial challenge treatment presents. "Insurance doesn't cover everything," said Walker.
State Rep. Eileen Ehlers of Hooksett attended on behalf of the Richardson campaign. Ehlers acknowledged that disparity of coverage and routine denial of drug and alcohol treatment by insurance companies were significant issues that had to be addressed.
Policies and solutions offered by the candidates ranged from Gravel's sole suggestion that all drugs be legalized to a unanimous agreement on the part of the candidates that increased availability of rehabilitation services and treatment is needed.
McCain's campaign rejected universal health-care coverage but endorsed more education and prevention programs.
Susan Bruce said that Kucinich favored decriminalizing marijuana. Richardson's campaign representative said that he endorsed more substance-abuse counseling and less jail time for first-time offenders.
Joe Harding, director of the state's Office of Alcohol and Drug Planning, said people often fail to recognize the far-reaching impact drug and alcohol abuse has in New Hampshire. According to Harding, only 10 percent of the state residents who need treatment are able to get help. Harding said most crimes are drug-related and noted that many of the adults who become involved with the state's child welfare system for abuse and neglect issues typically have drug and alcohol problems.
Organizers and advocates are promoting a three-point action plan for change: Registering themselves and others to vote, educating voters on candidate positions and getting out the vote in the Jan. 8 New Hampshire primary and next November's general election.
The event was sponsored by a number of state agencies, including the Friends of Recovery for New Hampshire, the Timberland Regional School District, Faces and Voices of Recovery and others.