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Pilot Project Opens, Offering Treatment For Chronic Public Inebriates
PILOT PROJECT OPENS, OFFERING TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC PUBLIC INEBRIATES
ANCHORAGE, AK (November 4, 2009) – The Salvation Army Clitheroe Center Specialized Treatment Unit (STU) held an official grand opening November 4. Special dignitaries present included Senator Johnny Ellis, Mayor Dan Sullivan and Representative Mike Kelly. Facility tours will be conducted following the event.
The STU, the first program of its kind in Alaska, paves the way for adult chronic public inebriates at serious risk of harm to themselves or others to receive detox and treatment services using Title 47 regulations. While Title 47 commitment procedures are used to facilitate the individual’s entry into treatment, the program is not intended to be punitive. Robert Heffle, Director of the Clitheroe Center says, “at the forefront of my mind, and what I ask my staff to remember is that if this was my loved one, wouldn’t I want a safe place for them to receive help?” The initial commitment period is for 48 hours, with extensions granted up to 30 days or longer, at the discretion of the judge, with input from the treatment team, in order to provide each individual with opportunity to make choices about the future direction of their lives with a clear mind.
While recent headlines about individuals dying on the streets of Anchorage as a result of alcohol abuse have brought this issue to prominence, Senator Johnny Ellis initiated dialog about the need to address this issue more than two years ago. Throughout the process, the Senator and his staff dedicated countless hours and secured the resources needed to help keep the project moving forward. Estimates indicate there are approximately 400 chronic public inebriates in Anchorage, but 10% of the individuals account for about 90% of the costs associated with public inebriation. Ellis shares, “This Specialized Treatment Unit is just one piece of a complex puzzle and I’m hopeful that funding for substance abuse treatment will be a priority for lawmakers in the future.”
Mayor Dan Sullivan has also been a strong advocate for addressing the city’s chronic inebriate problem. Since taking office in July, Mayor Sullivan has created a Strategic Action Plan addressing Anchorage’s chronic public inebriates and related issues of homelessness, hired a homeless coordinator, and formed a Homelessness Leadership Team to bring together service providers and other concerned individuals to formulate a comprehensive approach to the homeless chronic inebriate problem. Mayor Sullivan has said, “I believe that by working together in a coordinated, collaborative community effort, we can help our most vulnerable citizens, while improving public safety in our neighborhoods. The Specialized Treatment Unit at Clitheroe is a good example of such collaboration – and will assist us in expanding services to those who suffer from chronic substance abuse issues.”
The Salvation Army Specialized Treatment Unit is already seeing the impact of the program in the lives of individuals placed there. Just today one of the STU clients shared, “I’m warm, I’m safe and I really feel welcome here.” |