McDowell Receives State Grant to Provide 300 to 400 Drug Addicts Free Treatment

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Finally, Good News About Meth
by Richelle Bailey, (11 Jul 2006) McDowell News North Carolina
McDowell may finally be getting a reprieve from all the bad meth publicity. A yearlong state grant will provide 300 to 400 drug addicts and their families with free treatment.

McDowell has received funding to create a methamphetamine-specific treatment program working in conjunction with the county's Department of Social Services and ARP/Phoenix, a mental health and substance abuse treatment center. Officials say it's a welcome service in a county that's placed atop the state for the past two years in the number of meth lab busts. "( The program ) is comprised of a team of agencies in McDowell County working to improve the sobriety, safety and stability of individuals and families involved in methamphetamine use," said a brochure about the program. "Any person( s ) using or making methamphetamine and their families are eligible to receive services."

Levi Gardner, a substance abuse counselor and the program's director, stated that anyone can refer an individual for an assessment. He added that the treatment is not limited to meth users. Those who are addicted to cocaine, opiates, methadone and other stimulants may also receive assistance. Those who are accepted will undergo 14 weeks of primary care and 36 weeks of aftercare. The treatment includes both individual and group sessions. "It's an abstinence-based program," the director stated. The service started a few weeks ago, and Gardner said there's been a good response thus far.