Response to Ruth Potee’s recent opinion article:
As a psychologist who has spent over 40 years in the Pioneer Valley working with adults and teens who struggle with substance use and psychiatric issues, I am in complete agreement with Dr. Potee’s recent opinion article.
Heroin has been a largely underground problem in the valley for much longer than pain pills, which became a problem almost 20 years ago. In the past several years, heroin has flooded the area.
Another issue about which the public is unaware is the unconscionable lack of training of mental health professionals in assessment and treatment of substance use problems. I have been training doctoral psychology interns and others for many years and most received little or no training in dealing with the most commonly diagnosable psychiatric illness in this country. This is true of medical personnel as well. Fifty to 60 percent of people with a major psychiatric illness also have a diagnosable substance use disorder. In my opinion, this lack of training is a national scandal and can’t continue, especially since there are now effective forms of psychotherapy for this affliction. People really do get better. This topic should be required basic training in all mental health disciplines.
LEWIS BREIRNER, PHD
Greenfield