County handing over addiction programs

Butte-Silver Bow will no longer run its own chemical dependency programs after a recent budget analysis showed more than $1 million in losses since 2005.

The county instead plans to transition those programs including drug and alcohol treatment, tobacco prevention and assessment classes to other providers in thecommunity.

Chief Executive Matt Vincent announced the decision Friday, saying local government is in the wrong business administering chemical dependency services out of the health department.

Vincent hopes to make the transition by the next fiscal year, which begins officially in July, and until then he assured there will be no break in programs or changes in staffing.

None of these patients will be abandoned, and the personnel will remain the same through this transition period, Vincent said.

County officials will work with the state Department of Public Health and Human Services Chemical Dependency Bureau on preparing a request for information to identify which providers are best suited for the job.

Vincent cannot guarantee the new provider will retain any of the programs seven employees, but said the countys control in the selection process does provide some leverage.

From this point forward, well be relying on the employees to work through this transition period, Vincent said. Its a tough decision, but one that should have been made a while ago.

The decision is not based on performance or the quality of programs, but rather their worsening financial bottom line. Chemical dependency has averaged at a loss of $113,397 per year over the past nine years, according to data from by the county Finance and Budget Department.

Jeff Amerman, budget and finance director, said they began having discussions with the Board of Health around fiscal year 2009 and the red ink ultimately became too much to handle.

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County handing over addiction programs