AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION

Two weeks ago, a young capitol staffer parked his car on a Portland street. The following morning he woke up to find his car's window broken, and $3000 worth of contents gone. If he had paid $10 a month in renter's insurance, all the items would be recoverable. He now faced a total loss.

What would have been more expensive, ultimately? Paying the $10 a month, or having to replace $3000 worth of goods?

His story made me think of Oregon's dilemma. What is more expensive for the state? Funding small and inexpensive "safety net" programs run by non-profit corporations which provide essential services for the disabled and chronically ill, or cutting their funds to save a dime?

~A Fictional Example~

Imagine a young schizophrenic living in Brownsville, call him Sam.

Sam has housing, provided by the Federal Government through Section 8. He takes medication, provided through the Oregon Health Plan. Sam also needs a sheltered workplace, provided by Goodwill. Finally, he needs someone to check up on him to make sure he is following his plan. This is typically provided by a small non-profit social work program on contract to the state.

Such non-profit programs create a stable safety net for vulnerable Oregonians like Sam. But, take away this social worker providing week-to-week help, and young Sam's life goes off the rails.

~The Problem~

The problem is that this is exactly what the legislature has cut. Funding no longer exists for these essential small programs that provide a good and low cost life for the chronically disabled.

By getting rid of the social work component, Sam no longer has someone checking up on him. Sam forgets to take his medications. He stops going to work and loses his home. He ends up on the streets. When he has a schizophrenic relapse, there is no one to ensure he gets the help he needs. Soon, he ends up in a hospital or in jail, probably for trespassing or disruptive behavior.

~An Ounce of Prevention...~

Emergency hospitalization costs about $1000 a day. The assumed cost to keep someone in jail in Oregon is about $1870 a month on average. Even in jail, Sam would need to be medicated and treated as well.

You, the taxpayer, end up paying for all this. Either through increased insurance premiums to pay for skyrocketing emergency room costs, or through taxes and fees to pay for increased prison populations.

Closing the small programs that keep the Sams of Oregon stable not only wastes money, but neglects our responsibility as a society to look after people like them. By spending a modest amount of money now, we save ourselves from runaway costs later.

Sam's disease can affect anyone - and it does, regardless of race or income. It could strike you or someone you love. And, ultimately, it is very costly to all Oregonians to have Sam living on the streets.

An ounce of prevention really does equal a pound of cure, and it's the right thing to do, to boot.

~A Parting Thought~

It is worth noting that petty theft in Oregon has risen since the Legislature slashed funding for social services and public safety. Perhaps if the Legislature had been willing to invest in these programs, the young staffer at the beginning of this story might not have had his car broken into.

Things do come full circle.