Officials study substance abuse services
By JOHN LINDENBERGER
Published: Sunday, June 1, 2008 4:17 AM CDT
The North Platte Telegraph
Officials from the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center are currently looking for feedback from Nebraska residents about the effectiveness of substance abuse services throughout the state.
The assessment, which is being conducted for the Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health, includes a survey as well as a number of focus group meetings that are being organized in several cities across Nebraska.
Using information from these sources, the goal of the statewide assessment is to determine whether substance abuse services in the state are sufficiently meeting the needs of Nebraskans.
“We’re really trying to get a broad-based perspective on what the needs are for substance abuse services in the state,” said Mark DeKraai, senior research director with the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center.
At one of the local focus group meeting that took place last week, concerns included better access to service and the need for better collaboration, particularly between government agencies and private practitioners.
Some also felt that local substance abuse services are not as family friendly as they could be and that the state should be open to considering alternative treatment options other than medication.
Concerns over the lack of choice for low-income patients was also noted along with the length of time it takes to receive services. Some also feel that treatment facilities need to deal with more than just addiction.
DeKraai facilitated two focus group meetings in North Platte last week. He encourages those who missed the meetings to provide their opinions by completing the survey online at http://ppc.unl.edu/SANAsurvey.htm.
The survey is confidential and takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete. Results of the assessment will be reported to the Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health later this year.
“What we’re looking at is identifying the populations that need substance-abuse services,” DeKraai said. “And then once we’ve identified the populations, looking at what the needs are for those groups of people.”
He said they will also look for commonalities between regions as well as information on what additional services people feel are needed, such as employment and transportation services.
john.lindenberger@nptelegraph.com
Tags: assessment, Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health, North Platte, substance abuse, University of Nebraska Public Policy Center
