Reaching Out To Women. Historically, substance abuse treatment has been geared toward men. Fortunately, programs increasingly are designed to meet women's needs.The Eleonore Hutzel Recovery Center (EHRC) is one of them. A component of the Detroit Medical Center, EHRC has been providing substance abuse treatment to women for over 30 years. EHRC specializes in the many needs of women affected by substance abuse. Prevention courses are provided for children of women enrolled in the residential treatment program. EHRC has specialized services for pregnant women and accepts clients with children; on-site childcare is also provided. Many of the women at EHRC are working toward regaining custody of their children. EHRC can access many internal medical resources at the Detroit Medical Center such as obstetric/gynecological care. A team of professionals including social workers, child care specialists, nurses, psychiatrists, and psychologists-all knowledgeable about substance abuse-work with residential and outpatient clients. Services include individual, group and family therapy, parent groups, shelter for women and their children, education, and referral to outside agencies. EHRC has received awards from the Association of Program Directors and Black Family Development as the best treatment program in Detroit. EHRC is supported with federal, state and city funds. For more details, call (313) 745-7411.
Shedding Light. A growing proportion of HIV/AIDS cases are linked to injection drug use. Individuals suffering from both addiction and HIV/AIDS often feel alienated and lack resources and critical services. The Detroit Light House Program (DLHP) was started by nurses, substance abuse counselors and business administrators in 1990 to assist HIV positive individuals with substance abuse problems.The program offers relapse prevention, educational services, employment assistance and medical care; free housing is also available during treatment. The majority of DLHP's clients have failed in treatment previously and are drawn to DLHP's holistic treatment services which include personalized relapse prevention and long-term HIV survival strategies. In addition to 12-step meetings and nutritional counseling, DLHP finds that its services are more affordable than traditional residential treatment centers.While no evaluation of the Detroit Light House Program has been conducted, its partner organization, which offers the same services as DLHP, has been able to measure its impact. Like DLHP, the Personalized Nursing LIGHT House, Inc., located in Plymouth, Michigan, also opens its doors to HIV-infected drug addicts. A recent evaluation showed that 83 percent of Personalized Nursing LIGHT House clients reduced their drug use and 68 percent improved their overall health. DLHP is currently designing 30- and 60-day follow-up evaluations. For more information about the Detroit Light House Program, call (313) 832-1300.
Working With Latino community. LFS offers substance abuse prevention and AIDS awareness workshops, youth programs designed to provide recreation, and cultural activities to build confidence. Program services are available to youth, the elderly, families, individuals and the disabled. Outpatient substance abuse treatment services include specialized therapeutic support services, counseling and 12-step programs in both Spanish and English.Working closely with other community agencies, LFS staff refer clients to detoxification and residential programs, as well as legal, medical and mental health services. LFS also has HIV/AIDS risk reduction counseling and voluntary testing, and a street out-reach team to distribute educational materials and make referrals in local neighborhoods. Latino Family Services is an affiliate of the National Council of La Raza and is a contract agency of the Detroit/Wayne County Community Mental Health Board. For more information, call (313) 841-7380.
Accessing Arab Communities. Detroit has one of the largest Arab-American communities in the country. Like other ethnic groups, the Arab-American community has unique needs which are not always met by mainstream community services. In 1971, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), a multi-service, community organization, was created to work specifically with Arab-Americans- new arrivals to Detroit as well as those with longer histories in the city. ACCESS addresses many concerns within the Arab community including youth education, health and employment. Cultural training to promote individual, family and community development with-in the Arab-American community are also priorities. ACCESS offers sub-stance abuse education and referrals to outside treatment facilities, an issue which is not easily discussed in the Arab-American culture. ACCESS is running the nation's first Arabic speaking AA group for addicts and their families. ACCESS primarily serves southwest Detroit and Dearborn residents and is funded by the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Federal and state grants, membership dues and contributions.To learn more, call (313) 945-8380.
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