Coalition aims to close addiction gap

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Shocking statistics just released show 100,000 Rhode Islanders suffer from alcohol and drug addiction. And only 12 percent are getting the help they need.

The recent study shows Rhode Island has the largest percentage of people ages 12-25 who need drug treatment, but aren't receiving it.

A new initiative announced Tuesday morning aims to increase access to treatment and raise awareness about the state's addiction problem. The newly formed coalition says it's time to close the gap.

The Rhode Island Closing the Addiction Gap Coalition is funded through a three-year, $600,000 grant awarded to The Miriam Hospital by the Open Society Institute (OSI) of the Soros Foundation, a program that seeks to raise awareness around alcohol and drug addiction and its effects on families and communities.

The group's mission includes, increasing the public's understanding that addiction is a disease, expanding access to evidence-based, high quality addiction treatment, and expanding public and private funding in insurance coverage.

Coalition members also believe the initiative will save the state money, saying the financial benefits to proactive treatment, outweigh the costs by nearly 12 to one.