Susan McRoberts
Whittier Daily News

Addiction Recovery month begins
Needs outpace treatment programs

LOS ANGELES -- Hundreds of former addicts gathered Tuesday in Los Angeles to tell the public and politicians that there are not enough treatment programs for people addicted to drugs or alcohol.

The countywide rally at the Hall of Administration also celebrated the start of September, named National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

"I'm one of the lucky ones,' said Thomas McFarland, 30, of Santa Fe Springs. McFarland said he sought treatment for a cocaine habit at Allen House in Santa Fe Springs.

"When I called, I was told there was a two- to eight-week wait," he said. "However, it was only two weeks before I got in and they've saved my life."

Other addicts have not been as fortunate, said William Davis, rally organizer and graduate of Pacifica House, a treatment program in Hawthorne.

A man named Jack called Pacifica House and told Davis he was ready to get help for his crack habit. There were no empty beds that night, so Davis talked to him a while, then hung up.

"About two hours later, on the 11 o'clock news, Jack had taken a hostage at 98th and Figueroa," Davis said. "He let the hostage go, but he wouldn't put the gun down." The police killed Jack. "I cried that night because there was nothing I could do," Davis said. "That's why we need to make sure that anyone who needs some help can get some help."

Mary Ann Solberg, deputy director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, announced that California will receive two Access to Recovery grants totaling $40 million over three years. The funds will go to expand treatment programs for Native Americans and residents of Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, told the audience she came from a family of 13 children and had personal experience with addiction.

"Some were on drugs, some are dead, some were incarcerated," she said. "I understand."

Waters promised to fight tough sentencing laws, which often result in lengthy prison sentences for drug-related offenses.

County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke said some substance abusers may be overlooking programs offered at work. "This month is for those people to find out that help is there," Burke said. "All they have to do is reach out."

-- Susan McRoberts can be reached at
(562)698-0955, Ext. 3029, or by e- mail at sue.mcroberts@sgvn.com.