Prometheus 6

There is a link between the economy and mental-health problems such as depression, treatment providers said. ... “When they're not able to provide for their families, the stress and depression are going to increase,” Kathy Tremaine, director of Cumberland River Comprehensive Care, said of people having financial problems.

More drug use, less treatment in E. Ky.
By Bill Estep

LONDON — A higher proportion of people in Appalachia abuse prescription painkillers than in the rest of the nation, and the problem is even greater in coal-mining areas such as Eastern Kentucky, according to a federal study.

Compounding the problem, relatively few facilities in Appalachia offer short and long-term residential treatment — the kind of service needed by many people addicted to OxyContin and other painkillers.

“There's truly an access-to-health-care disparity for these coal-producing counties that we need to address,” said David Mathews, director of adult services with Kentucky River Community Care, which provides services including substance-abuse and mental-health treatment in eight Eastern Kentucky counties.

The findings are included in a new study of access to substance-abuse and mental-health treatment in Appalachia that was underwritten by the Appalachian Regional Commission— a federal-state partnership that works to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and a better life for Appalachian residents.

The study underlines the cyclical relationships between poverty, depression and drug abuse in parts of Appalachia, and the resulting need for more treatment facilities.

Anne Pope, federal co-chair of the agency, and Gov. Steve Beshear announced the results at a news conference Tuesday in London.

Pope said Beshear had pushed ARC to tackle the issue of substance abuse, and also cited the efforts of Louise Howell, executive director of Kentucky River Community Care.

Pope said trying to reduce substance abuse fits with ARC's mission to boost economic development because substance abuse is a barrier to improving the economy.

“Communities cannot grow if there is a major substance-abuse problem,” Pope said.