Crittenden County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community
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.
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Co.
Coalition for a Drug-Free Community