Crittenden Co. Coalition
for a Drug-Free Community
PO Box 22, Marion, KY 42064
 

Drug-free group seeks more notice

Crittenden Press Staff Report
About 8 percent of the American population is in need of substance abuse treatment, according
to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That means about one in 12 Crittenden
Countians struggles with addiction, whether alcohol or drugs.
The Crittenden County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community brings together two state-backed organizations and the community to address the problem locally, offering assistance and hope to those seeking treatment. The coalition also aims to educate as to the dangers of substance abuse.
Until now, the local program has been flying under the radar, with little notice outside of those involved.
“Our biggest hurdle is awareness,” said Brandi Hagan, a Marion attorney appointed to
the Coalition by Judge-Executive Fred Brown to represent the county's interest. “We need to let
people know we're here to help.”
That need appears most evident among teenagers.
Hagan, 26, said a recent Kentucky Incentives for Prevention, or KIP, survey indicated that
usage of drugs and alcohol among middle- and high school students in Crittenden County was higher than average.
“There is a problem with underage use,” she said.
Much of the work done so far by the Crittenden County Coalition has focused on youth addictions. Some of those efforts include sponsoring the KIP survey, providing education forums for parents and
supporting awareness events at the high school and through 4-H leadership programs. A Masonic Model training program is also designed to identify at-risk students and train middle school teachers to
instruct life skills to teens.
But assisting adults wanting to make a break from substance abuse is far from overlooked.
The coalition combines monies available from the state through the local Kentucky Agency for
Substance Abuse Policy (ASAP) Board as well as Champions. While there are restrictions and guidelines for use of the funding, the majority goes to Another Way, a counseling center in Marion.
With that subsidy, Another Way is able to offer discounted services from two counselors. Currently, the center is open only three days a week, but serves more than 60 clients.
“It costs a lot of money to run the program,” Hagan said.
If more money were available, said the attorney, Another Way could offer more services and more counselors on additional days. Scholarships, too, for those enrolled would ease the treatment burden for clients. About 75 percent of its current clientele cannot pay for services.
A confidential helpline, 965 - 4300, is also part of the center’s outreach.
“Maintaining Another Way exceeds the funds the Coaltiion can currently provide,” Hagan said.
Transportation for substance abuse treatment and Crittenden County’s drug court are other ways the
Coalition works with adults to beat their addiction.
While money is needed to continue programs, more time in the public eye is the immediate
goal for Hagan. Currently, Coalition volunteers amount to about 20, “on a good night,” Hagan said.
The group next meets at 6:30 p.m., Monday. They normally meet at the Crittenden
Health Systems’ annex, but because of renovations, they will probably meet at Another Way on South Main Street. Anyone in the community is invited to attend.
“I don’t think people realize we do as much as we do,” Hagan added.
One spin-off from the Coaltion is Emmanuel Baptist Church’s ongoing Celebrate Recovery and parenting and lifeskills classes for children. Childcare is also provided at the church for enrolled adults.
“That is our shining star,” Hagan said of the Greenwood Heights church’s faith-based programs.
She believes churches and other community organizations are key to raising awareness of what help is out there for substance abuse.
“There is so much more to be accomplished,” she said.
Immediate goals for the Coalition are more longterm residential treatment for addicts and coordination of assistance programs with mental health services and substance abuse facilities to provide food, clothing, housing and health care.
Every day in Kentucky, the state is short 300 treatment beds for addicts in need of residential care. Also absent locally is a medical detox facility.
Anyone interested in joining the coalition can
contact Hagan at her Greenwell & Frazer law office, 965-2261.