Editorial: Right step to treat chronic inebriates

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000 | 10:21 a.m.

It is encouraging that the Clark County District Board of Health last week gave its blessing to a plan that would allow chronic drunks to be sent to the Westcare detoxification center rather than dropped off at local hospitals' emergency rooms, which already are severely overcrowded. They not only cost the hospitals $3 million a year and take up needed space, but the inebriated also don't get the treatment that Westcare can offer.

The Board of Health's decision, though, only has gotten the ball rolling. Now it's up to local governments and the hospitals to come up with a way to pay for Westcare to provide treatment for those who are chronically inebriated. This situation has been building for years -- further delays aren't acceptable.

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