Clarke County was one of many counties that were recently notified that because of state cutbacks, East Mississippi State Hospital has to close their alcohol and drug chemical dependency treatment program. The 25 bed unit will no longer be available for residents who are in need of chemical dependency treatment. This much needed program was an option that people could use at no cost to the individual.
Currently, there is a waiting list of individuals who have been committed to the program and waiting admittance. They will not be affected and will still be served by the program. There will be no new commitments after July 1.
In addition to the treatment closure at EMSH, 42 beds will be closed at Mississippi State Hospital in Rankin. This closure is the result of budget cuts in the state fiscal 2017 appropriations. Fortunately, Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield will continue to serve adult females with substance use disorders. Unfortunately, Whitfield services all 82 counties and the waiting list can be up to 6 months or longer for someone who is in need of treatment.
Treatment options with qualified programs and counselors are available, such as Weems, but these facilities are with fees based on a sliding scale or private rehabilitation, which can cost well into thousands of dollars for families.
All state agencies are suffering from budget cutbacks and even more so after a $56.6 million error was discovered last week in the fiscal 2017 budget.
It is too soon to tell how bad the closure of the chemical dependency beds will affect Clarke County, but it will definitely be a setback for individuals who are in need of rehabilitation.
Chemical dependency affects many families and addiction does not show favoritism because of fame, fortune or social status. There are many families right here in Clarke County that has been affected by a loved one who became dependent on drugs.
Not all families can afford private rehabilitation and depend on state offered treatment programs at these facilities. The belief that if a person can afford the drugs, then they can afford the rehabilitation is a complete lack of apathy because it is usually the family members who are left scrambling to find ways to send their loved one for rehabilitation.
Buck Clarke, Senate Appropriations Chairman, defended the legislature’s decision in a recent statement on a political website “Ya’ll Politics” by stating that it is their job to be concerned with every agency in the state from K – 12, community colleges, Institutions of Higher Learning, Medicaid. The budget for the state cannot be viewed through a singular lens by the public. He went on to state that there are many agencies providing valuable services to the public and many are funded below what they should be and that each agency requests and advocates for their share of the pie.
Chancery Clerk Angie Chisholm did verify that the mental beds are still available which is a blessing considering the number of monthly commitments for residents who suffer from mental disorders.
