Opinion

Getting help for addiction victims

An editorial from The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register

WHEELING, W.Va. — The tried-and-failed liberal approach of throwing money at the nation’s challenges has never worked – and never will. Still, President Barack Obama wants to continue doing just that, at the expense of higher taxes and continuing to increase the national debt.

Conservatives in Congress are right to reject that blanket approach. But more funding to battle some problems is appropriate. Drug abuse is one of them. During his visit to Charleston last week, Obama said he wants lawmakers to provide more money for substance abuse treatment programs. His proposed budget reportedly includes about $133 million for the purpose.

Some reports emphasized Congress is not likely to accept Obama’s budget. Again, that is absolutely the right attitude toward his plan for domestic spending.

But let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water. A few of the budget recommendations are not just worthy of consideration, they are critical.

It is known many victims of substance addiction can be helped by treatment. It also is known not enough options for such help are available. In other words, Americans facing a deadly challenge know one thing to do about it – but are failing to take action.

In dealing with Obama’s budget, then, lawmakers should separate the wheat from the chaff and approve the $133 million for addiction treatment.

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