It is more interesting and appealing when Mary Bono Mack speaks about addiction in her own family and she wants to do something about it as regards to public health.

Michael Jackson put addiction back on the radar screen and the need for addiction treatment is starting to appear.

As Congress is talking about health care and costs, this topic needs to be pushed to the forefront.  There is unlikely any other condition that is costing as much as addiction is in terms of money and lost lives.

Whether they are abusing heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine or prescription drugs, these are real people, with real families and they need real help.

“Inland Rep. Mary Bono Mack will speak Saturday in Moreno Valley about her son’s struggle with drugs and her efforts to include addiction prevention in the ongoing health care reform debate.

The talk, part of a substance abuse conference at the Riverside Community College District’s Moreno Valley campus, is aimed at youths, young adults and parents. It’s free and open to the public.

“I think it’s important to raise the awareness,” said Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs. “I believe we should hear discussion about addiction from dining-room tables to the halls of Congress.”

The conference will include presentations from public health officials about substance abuse in the Inland area and the impact of substance abuse on the adolescent brain, said Chris Carlson, chief of staff for district Chancellor Gregory W. Gray.

There will also be panel discussions featuring substance abuse experts and students, Carlson said.”

http://www.pe.com/localnews/morenovalley/stories/PE_News_Local_S_abuse13.3b0c4a6.html