NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | Advocates oppose merger of Norman treatment center
Associated Press - November 22, 2009 3:35 PM ET
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - Mental health professionals say hundreds of people will go untreated if the state-run Norman Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center is closed.
Bonnie Dunn, who heads a transitional agency that provides after care to those released from the center, says the closure of the Norman facility could lead to more homelessness and crime.
Dunn says the center serves about 550 people each year and regularly answers 100 calls each day from people seeking treatment.
The governing board for the state Mental Health and Substance Abuse Department approved a plan last week to lay off 100 employees statewide and to merge the Norman Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center with the Children's Recovery Center in Norman.
A spokesman for the department says the merger would eliminate 60 beds for adults and 40 beds for children.
Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com
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