Center to take part in substance abuse intervention, treatment programs

From LOCAL REPORTS

New resources for youth with substance abuse problems will be coming to Chesterfield and Lee counties.

A $1.48 million grant was awarded to the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) to provide substance abuse intervention and treatment services for the two counties. The ALPHA Center, the alcohol and drug abuse commission, will have primary responsibility for implementing the program.

"The ALPHA Center is thrilled to be one of the CSAT Targeted Capacity Expansion (TCE) grantees and through this grant it allows the agency to expand our range of services in Chesterfield and Lee counties in order to enhance the quality of life for youth in those respective counties," said Paul Napper, executive director, The ALPHA Center.

The ALPHA Center will collaborate with multiple partners in implementing the program, including middle and high schools in the two school districts, the Departments of Juvenile Justice and Social Services, the Tri-County Mental Health Center, Santee-Wateree Mental Health Center, Sandhills and Care South Primary Health Care Centers, the Chesterfield County Coordinating Council and the Lee County Primary Prevention Coalition. ,The Chesterfield County Coordinating Council partnered with The ALPHA Center to join efforts with Tidwell and Associates, Inc. who developed the grant proposal.

The group of 12- to 17-year-olds targeted by the program will include those who have been suspended or expelled from school, truants, children in foster care, DJJ, youth who have been abused or neglected, youth who have committed crimes at school, or youth identified with a substance abuse problem. Services should begin in February 2005. It is projected that 80 youth and their families will be served in the first year of the grant.

A referral coordinator and two counselors will be hired for Chesterfield County and a part-time referral coordinator and full time counselor will be employed in Lee County. A full time program coordinator will be hired and report to Cheryl D. McMichael, deputy director of The ALPHA Center.