State paid ‘Free’ Ride Program To Methadone Clinics May Change

[RamboLiberal]

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – It’s been called “taxes for taxis.”

The program uses your tax dollars to give recovering addicts rides to methadone clinics.

However, new legislation could radically alter the way the program works and save taxpayers millions of dollars.

If passed, the new law could potentially save taxpayers more than $40 million.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/03/23/free-ride-program-to-methadone-clinics-may-change/

I have no problem with putting some limits on how long & how much state pays for this. Been a hot topic on KDKA radio. One guy was bypassing the clinic in his town cause he didn't like it and doing a 60 mile round trip taxi ride a day and I believe it was for the last 10 years!

[JPZenger]

1. Methadone clinics reduce crime.

Methadone clinics reduce crime.

However, that doesn't mean the state should be paying for one guy to go to a far away clinic, when another is closer. That sounds like one unusual anecdotal situation that could easily be corrected.

[RamboLiberal]

2. Yeah but I think there has to be responsibility to get clean

and/or get a job and get your own butt to the clinic. I wouldn't necessarily limit to 4 weeks like state rep wants to do on transportation, but perhaps a year.

I'd rather see this money help pay for health insurance like AdultBasic or put into education.

[Bunny]

3. They should not be provided with taxi service to distant clinics.

That's an amazing thing and it's hard to understand how it was ever approved. What a crock.

[blue neen]

4. Agreed.

Some people are never able to get off of methadone. Therefore, it becomes a chronic health issue...no one else is provided taxi service to whatever health clinic they choose to deal with their respective health problems.

[jschurchin]

5. Something I never understood.

If you have enough money to buy dope, you have enough money to find a way to get sober.

I know, I celebrated 11 Years on January 14th. And I went through a methadone program to help me, help myself. I paid for the program out of my pocket and drove my vehicle to get there.

Junkies will do WHATEVER they have to do to get their dope. But they want the taxpayers to pay for their recovery, which is bullshit.

Sorry if I'm being mean, but it's just how I feel. Getting sober can be done, but it's about personal responsibility, not a handout.

[Bunny]

6. Well, not everyone can be made of steel.

I don't mind my tax money being used to help a 'junkie' overcome their addiction. I have no problems with placing restrictions on that help.

[jschurchin]

7. Who is made of steel?

Perhaps, just perhaps, if more people in this nation took responsibility for their action's we would live in a much better place.

From the Dope Junkie to the Wall Street Junkie, we enable them and tell them, through our action's, that what they do is OK. That we will bail them out of the predicament they put themselves in. I'm sorry Bunny, they put themselves in that place, they can take the responsibility to get themselves out.

[old mark]

8. When I worked in drug and alcohol treatment programs, I was amazed

that so many people played so many games with various aspects of their "recovery". There are many who understand that they are getting a chance for a better life, and many who want to play around while finding easy ways to continue drugging. The people who succeed are those who really want to succeed and who are given the methods to do so...the "free ride" thing is bullshit and it should be restricted to the closest local clinic or eliminated.

mark