State needs more juvenile treatment beds

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma needs more residential treatment beds for teenagers addicted to alcohol and drugs.<br/><br/>A report to be released today by the Governor's and Attorney General's

Thursday, February 17th 2005, 6:54 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma needs more residential treatment beds for teenagers addicted to alcohol and drugs.

A report to be released today by the Governor's and Attorney General's Task Force on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence says the state needs at least a hundred or more treatment beds for juveniles.

The has only 21 publicly funded residential beds at the Norman Adolescent Center.

This is one of several recommendations contained in a report.

The report also recommends an increased tax on beer and alcohol to reduce the cost of substance abuse and addiction.

The report also says mental health issues are cost the state nearly $3-billion in direct costs and $5-billion in lost productivity.

The task force says mobile mental health units should be set up to offer treatment in rural areas.