The substance-abuse treatment center at Mount Pleasant’s mental-health institute will remain open, at least until the legislature has another chance to fund it in a regular session. Governor Tom Vilsack made the announcement in his hometown in front of many of the employees who’d lose their jobs if the facility closes. Vilsack said he thinks lawmakers made a mistake not funding the center. Vilsack said he’s not sure where funds will come from to support the unit, but feels with stronger-than-expected tax receipts, the money can be found. Iowa’s chief executive says if the center doesn’t stay open, people getting treatment will wind up in prison. Vilsack says it’s too valuable to eliminate. And the governor told a story of how his mother once got treatment at a similar facility in Pennsylvania that helped her beat a substance-abuse problem so she could return to her family in time for the holidays.
