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Medford council sets money aside for long-term detoxification services Hoping to avert closure of Jackson County's long-term detoxification services, the Medford City Council unanimously agreed Thursday to earmark $50,000 in beer and wine tax revenue toward operation of the center. The motion, introduced by council member Bill Moore, offers the funds only under the condition that Medford's two hospitals, the county and the state also contribute. "I'm worried about the cost of not doing anything," said council member Bob Strosser. The Front Street detoxification center, which offers up to a week of food and shelter to about 250 alcoholics and drug addicts each year, was set to close March. 1. The closure would not affect the county's short-term sobering services, which provides overnight shelter for intoxicated people. Hank Collins, Jackson County Health and Services director, proposed closing the center in February to save the cash-strapped county about $130,000 annually. Collins also contended that the service was not effective in propelling clients toward long-term addiction treatment. Collins postponed closure of the long-term detoxification unit after Moore and other city officials protested the move. He has consulted with officials from two Jackson County drug and alcohol treatment centers, OnTrack and the Rogue Valley Addictions Recovery Center, who say their organizations are considering whether they could provide long-term detox services. Moore said the city receives more than $400,000 annually in receipts from beer and wine taxes. He said it made sense to divert at least a portion of that money toward serving people affected by alcoholism and drug addiction. Moore, a retired counselor, said closing the detox center would force local hospital emergency rooms and law enforcement personnel to care for intoxicated individuals. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA