Drug Abuse Plan Supported

A committee of county commissioners yesterday gave its support to a $l-million-a-year program to combat drug abuse, developed by the Community Mental Health Board. The Health, Education and Social Services (HESS) Committee recommended the entire board approve the plan after changes are made in the wording of certain sections of it. As in the case last month when the Mental Health Board approved the plan, the details of the suggested programs were withheld. The Mental Health Board originally had said the entire plan would be released publicly after the HESS Committee had reviewed it. The committee, however, decided to hold up release of the report until all the commissioners have seen it. Dr. Thomas Rowe, chairman of the Mental Health Board Drug Committee, told the commissioners that while the plan calis for total community participation, the county will probaby have to provide more financing than for past projects. He said the plan contains a recommendation for a $276,000 expansión of the drug program presently helping heroin addicts. This new plan calis for $69,000 in local funds to be matched with federal monies to account for the $276,000, he said. Dr . Rowe added, however, the county may have to provide more financial support towards the $69,000 than it did for the local program already in operation. Concerning the total plan, Dr. Rowe said, "We feel if the things we've provided for were put into effect we'd be well on the way towards h'cking the drug problem." Dr. Rowe and other mental health officials present emphasized that the drug plan hopefully would include involvement of aÜ local groups and agencies which could contribute something to it. While some of the funding would come through county-sponsored grant applications, other funds could be sought directly by grants submitted by independent organizations, they said. Cmsr. Susan Sayre of Ypsilanti also emphasized t h a t b y recommending approval of the plan the committee was expressing only "moral support", and was not recommending signing any actual agreements to set the plan into action. -