Detailed report outlines Denver's treatment, prevention challenges.

The city of Denver faces many challenges in its efforts to reduce substance abuse, and especially critical to the mission is closing the treatment gap, according to a report issued this summer by Drug Strategies Inc., the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit research institute that promotes effective approaches to drug problems.

Denver: On the Horizon--Reducing Substance Abuse and Addiction is part of a series of Drug Strategies reports on alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems in cities and states. The report was commissioned by Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb's Office of Drug Strategy, which is made up of representatives from public and private agencies with substance abuse expertise and responsibilities.

Adam Brickner, Denver's first Drug Strategy Coordinator, says that according to Drug Strategies, this was the first time a city agency requested a report from the research institute.

"Normally a foundation or other nongovernmental group will commission the report and then present it to the city or state for action," Brickner, whose agency is the Office of Drug Strategy, told ADAW. "Denver is proud of the fact that we are being proactive in our evaluation of our …