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The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, commissioner of the state’s Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, said, “We have a difficult time putting together programs to help with the stigmas. Addiction affects everyone across the state … I’m here to help treat the addiction.” In 2014, she said, there was a 17 percent increase in admissions for people 50 or older needing treatment. Researchers have predicted that adults over 50 with substance-abuse problems will double from 2.5 million in 1999 to 5 million in 2020.