County board seeks approval to improve substance abuse treatment

Nick Schirripa and Andy Rathbun
The Enquirer

MARSHALL — County commissioners on Thursday approved a measure officials hope will make substance abuse treatment and prevention programs more accessible to county residents who need them.

If the county's request is approved, the Michigan Department of Community Health is expected to switch the county's substance abuse coordinating agency from Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission to Summit Pointe.

East Lansing-based Mid-South handles substance abuse funding and programs for nine other counties, including Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Lenawee and Newaygo.

County board Chairwoman Kate Segal, D-Battle Creek, said the move will put substance abuse treatment and prevention resources closer to the people in Calhoun County who need them.

People with addictions and the family and friends adversely affected by addicts will be able to access help more quickly and efficiently with Summit Pointe in control, Segal said.

Programming, funding and treatment decisions made by Battle Creek-based Summit Pointe will specifically focus on Calhoun County residents' needs and won't be part of a blanket approach designed to address the needs of several counties at once.

Programs vary and include emergency hotlines, treatment and prevention services.

"This move is going to give us more local control," she said. "Funding is incredibly limited for substance abuse, and this doesn't change that. What this does change is the mindset. Summit Pointe is eager to find more effective and immediate channels to address substance abuse in our communities."

Summit Pointe officials said the agency already handles about $488,000 of Medicaid funding for substance abuse and prevention.

If the state approves the county's move from Mid-South to Summit Pointe, Summit Pointe will be the county's fiduciary agent for another $1.4 million in block grants, state tax revenue and other grants.

Officials said they expect an answer from the state no later than Oct. 1, although county officials said they will be pushing for an answer sooner.

Nick Schirripa can be reached at 966-0692 or nschirrip@battlecr.gannett.com.

Originally published May 4, 2007
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