trends March, 1998	Publisher, Robert Csandl Managing Editor, Sales, Janis Knight Production Staff, Joan Allen, Bernadette Wise Editorial Staff, Nikki Clark
Treatment Trends, Inc., 18-22 South 6th St., Box 685, Allentown, PA 18105
The advertiser assumes liability for all content (including text representations and illustrations) and agrees to indemnify Treatment Trends, Inc. against all claims. Upon acceptance, all articles submitted for publication become the property of Treatment Trends, Inc. No part of Trends may be reprinted without the express permission of the publisher.

Keenan House Renovation a Sign of the Times

By Janis Knight.

Like many other D&A treatment facilities, Keenan House is seeing an increasing number of clients who are assessed with a dual diagnosis. Dually diagnosed clients suffer from both mental disorders and substance abuse, the combination of which demands special consideration and treatment planning. The expansion currently underway at Keenan House was, in part, inspired by the need for proper care facilities for those clients who are dually diagnosed. The new 4th floor living quarters will be dedicated to the special treatment needs of dually diagnosed clients, including separate counseling rooms and living quarters. .

Building towards the Future: Construction is in full swing as Keenan House prepares for things to come.

All of the Keenan House community will enjoy the use of a new dining room, expanded laundry facilities and a new elevator. The Administrative staff of TTI will be consolidated on the 5th floor of the building which will also be wired for a future computer network. The network, which will encompass the entire Administrative staff, will make the exchange and management of information a more stream-lined, efficient process.

Construction is expected to be completed by May, at which time the staff and clients at Keenan House will . begin the process of settling into their new surroundings.
 

Treatment Trends, Inc. Mission Statement

To provide rehabilitation and continuum of care services to drug addicts, alcoholics, abusers and potential users, persons manifesting anti-social conduct, victim survivors of sexual abuse, sex offenders, violent aggressive batterers and battered women through inpatient and outpatient treatment/intervention modalities.

To provide intake, evaluation, referral, urine testing and monitoring to the criminal justice client.

To provide public education and prevention of addiction and sexual abuse.
 

 Addiction and Crime

Musings of Robert C. Csandt, WIS, Executive Director

Billions are spent annually on America's drug problems. But how wisely is this money spent?

--22% of the Nations $17 billion drug control budget is spent on treatment ($3.4 billion).
--The lions share goes into interdiction and criminal justice efforts.
--Our nation now incarcerates approximately 1.6 million people. Studies estimate 70-90% of all inmates are drug offenders. (See article, Page 5)

It's all about ADDICTION.

It's simple; pay now or pay later, but in the end society does pay, and pays dearly for our failed drug policies. The toll is a human one.

In addicted families a myriad of problems including neglect, abuse and crime emerge, All too often addiction becomes multi-generationaL Children are affected.

Addicts "live to use" and "use to live". Addiction is obsessive and all consuming. The brain chemistry gets so altered that thoughts, behaviors and values change. Everything accommodates the addiction; lying, deception, secrecy, disregarding all consequences to self and loved ones. This destructive behavior leads some people to lose jobs, some their families and some their children. Some get arrested. Many end up in jails.

Society morally judges the addict. Incarceration, though costly, is a widely supported public response to addiction. The public believes addiction equals violence; though the facts do not support this conclusion. Thus public policy is based on perception—not reality.

The vast majority of drug offenders are non-violent. Yet, the media sensationalizes violence, especially drug related violence; such as the horror of a drive. by shooting. Soon, the public wants its pound of flesh. The result: a huge criminal justice system 'that now projects 2% of all males will be on probation or parole at some point in their lives.

Since our drug policies are schizophrenic we must push for public policy debate on many issues:
--Does the addiction field even have a viable drug prevention message anymore?
--Cigarettes, legal drugs, kill more people annually than all the illegal drugs combined

   (Cigarettes kill about 300,000 - 400,000 people annually)
--Alcohol related violence is greater than all other drugs combined. Example: Driving

   under the influence, fires, boating and gun accidents.
--Marijuana is associated with the least morbidity and violent crime.
--Treating chronic addiction is seen as a waste of money.
--Studies show treatment of other chronic diseases and addiction as having comparable

   outcomes.
--Repeated studies show that the best treatment results relate to the length of time spent

   in treatment. In other words - the longer the treatment, the better the positive outcome.

Now we have managed care, armed with accountants concerned only with bottom lines offering 7, 14, and day "wonder" programs. The arbitrary and artificial caps of managed care short change the struggling addict. They have no valid studies showing the efficacy of short-term treatment for chronic addiction.

Here save money--save lives conflict, and rest assured--the morally judged addict loses. The ante for failed treatment is relapse, resumption of addiction, incarceration-and sometimes death.

Treatment needs to be a full continuum model. If chronic and criminal justice involved, the control and habilitation afforded in the inpatient modality are vital. Once at the intensive outpatient and outpatient level, urine testing is essential. Self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are a good source of support and recovery maintenance.

In P A, we are fortunate to have a progressive Department of Corrections which is pushing to establish more treatment in and out of the state prison systems. The same cannot be said for the many county prisons which will have little or no drug and alcohol nor mental health treatment.

Without treatment and interventions into the lives of addicts, we will not be able to reduce recidivism rates. Treatment and the external controls of the criminal justice system can work together to improve recovery rates. For example, hot urine tests can trigger a treatment assessment and referral and, when appropriate, act to divert versus violate.

Thus addiction treatment can play a vital role in reducing the strain on our swelling prison populations and afford addicts the opportunity to put their lives back together.
 

New Pennsylvania Law Makes It Easier to Put Kids in Drug & Alcohol Abuse Treatment

Reprinted with permission. CD Publications Substance Abuse Funding News, January 12, 1998. For a .free sample issue, call 1-800-666-6380

 
Harrisburg, Pa—A new state law enables parents to place their children in drug and/or alcohol treatment programs with greater ease. The measure, HB 679, signed into law by Gov. Ridge (R), went into effect in early February.

Under the law, parents can petition a court of common pleas to commit a child to a treatment program, including an assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or certified addiction counselor. Parents will be responsible for court and treatment costs in the majority of cases.

The court must also appoint legal counsel for the kids to protect the child's rights, but it can order involuntary commitment for up to 45 days and determine whether further treatment is needed.
 

Who's Who at Lehigh County TASC?

Program Director, Diane O’Brien Targeted Case Manager, Michelle Thomas TASC Case Manager, John Bruno TCAP Case Manager, Gene Richardson TCAP Probation Officer, Chris Spiropoulos Juvenile Case Manager, Earle "Jim" Jardine Operations Manager, Susan Kennedy Institutional Assessment Specialist, Carla Monteverde Laboratory Technician, Randy Burger Office Assistant/Monitor, Beatrice Borrell Monitor, Daniel Cintron Monitor, Lawrence Graser

Treatment Trends, Inc., Board of Directors

CHAIRPERSON

Bruce Groner

VICE-CHAIRPERSONS

Jackie Kauffman

Jerry Mandel

Roy Yacone

TREASURER

Nancy Kahn

SECRETARY

Terri Ulaner

EX-OFFICIO

Robert Csandl

Ted Alex

John Dillensnyder

FOUNDATION LIAISON

J. Bowling Wills

BOARD MEMBERS

Jack Bury

Joe McClaine Diffenderfer

Joyce Dougherty

Reverend Robert Harting

Roy Heffelfinger

Carla Hess

Daylin Leach, Esq.

Linda Lobach

Anita Paukovits

Jerry Richards

Vince Rossi

Dorothy Roth

Mike Schroeder

Kimberly Snyder

Wanted

Clinical Technicians FT/PT:

Assertive, dynamic individuals to meet the challenges of working in a highly structured drug & alcohol/criminal justice residential facility. Drivers license and HS Diploma or equivalent required. Competitive salary/paid benefits. Send resume or apply to: Keenan House, 18 S. 6th St., Allentown 18101. EOE

 Donations:

 Office Supplies, Bookshelves, Computers, Filing Cabinets, Pens, Pencils, Tablets

 Fun Stuff:

Books, Garden Tools, Magazines, Plants/Potting Soil, Sports Equipment, Videos

 Living Necessities:

Air Conditioners, Fans, Toiletries

For pick-up or drop-off information, contact Nikki Clark at (610) 439-8479

Mark Your Calendar

Treatment Trends Training Institute Criminal Justice Training Track

 Spring ’98

May 29, Drugs, Crime and Violence

Jun 05, Mental Health & the Criminal Justice Client

Jun 26, Anti-social Personality Disorders

 Fall-Winter ’98

Sep 11, TBA

Sep25, TBA

Oct 09, Pharmacology of Substances of Abuse

Oct 23, Treating the Violent Offender, Part 1

Nov 06, Treating the Violent Offender, Part 2

Nov 20, Criminality

Dec 04, Addiction and Sexuality

Dec 18, Treating the Mandated Client

For more information, contact Janis Knight, Training Coordinator, 610-439-8479

 Meet the New Kid on the Block

The Keenan House staff is pleased to welcome Linda Ball, RNC to the ranks of our team of clinical specialists. Linda is a Registered Nurse certified in Mental Health and Psychiatric Medicine. Linda was hired specifically for her expertise in working with dually diagnosed clients.

Linda's professional background includes 20 years in a hospital environment; 5 years as nurses aid, 10 years as LPN and another 5 years in Psychiatric and general nursing. She graduated from Northampton Community College in 1993.

For Linda, the move to Keenan House seemed a "natural progression" after working in a hospital. Yet, even with her extensive background, Linda admits that working at Keenan House is something of a "culture shock". "This is an extremely dynamic environment", Linda observed. "Working here is an awesome experience."

In her short time at Keenan House Linda has fit right in to the community. Her sense of humor and penchant for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups have sealed her fate as an accepted member of the Keenan House family. We hope to enjoy her talents and wit for a long time to come.
 

High Number of Addicted Inmates Warrants More Treatment Spending

Reprinted with permission. CD Publications Substance Abuse Funding News, January 12, 1998. For a free sample issue, call 1-800-666-6380

 Alcohol and drug abuse are linked to the crimes and incarceration of 80% of U.S. adults in prison, a study reveals. The group responsible for the study, the Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, says the results indicate a need for increased federal spending on drug treatment programs for the 1.4 million inmates with substance abuse and addiction problems.

"The most troublesome aspect of these grim statistics is that the country is doing so little about them," Joseph Califano, president of the Columbia U-based center, says at the study's release. 'The prevailing policy of prison only - with no treatment or preparation for return to the community - is insane."

Also present at the study's release is Drug Czar McCaffrey. He- supports- the findings and says he hopes to build on past significant increases for community alternatives for institutional treatment at the state and federal levels in the FY99 drug budget. He says the Clinton administration is planning a meeting on treatment and the criminal justice system on March 23-25, in Washington. "This important conference will help us draft a long-term strategy for the resolution of this problem."

Also in regard to the study, Behind Bars: Substance Abuse and America's Prison Population, Califano points to the huge costs of building prisons and jails, calling them "the 800-pound gorilla in most state budgets."  He suggests that spending more money on prison treatment would bring down these and other costs drastically. In addition, he calls mandatory sentences for drug crimes a disincentive for inmates to enter treatment.

The study is funded by the Robed Wood Johnson Foundation and the Charles E. Culpeper Foundation. Info: Alyse Booth, CASA, 212/841-5260; Internet: http://www.casacolumbia.org

Closer to Home: In Pennsylvania, estimates place crimes and incarceration linked to substance abuse at a staggering 94-96%.
 

Special Thanks..

To William O'Boyle of The Allentown Hilton for the donation of much needed furniture to Keenan House. The furniture was available due to the renovations underway at The Hilton. Thanks to an earlier solicitation, the name of Keenan House came to mind as Mr. O'Boyle considered his options for removing the older furniture from the Hilton premises. One phone call to Peter Amoresano, the Director of Admissions at Keenan House, set into motion two days of flurried activity as he and Vanessa Choma, Clinical Director, took on the task of moving the furniture. With the help of a moving crew made up of Keenan House clients, Peter and Vanessa moved a 24' truck full (to the top) with the furniture that will eventually furnish the new living quarters at Keenan House. Some of the furniture already graces the waiting room at Lehigh County TASC.

The donation includes: 28 dressers, vanities and benches (which will be used as desks), a sofa, lamps, mirrors and framed artwork. Our undying gratitude to Mr. O'Boyle, The Hilton and their Chief Engineer, who was an immense help during the move.
 

Treatment Trends Receives Federal Probation / Pretrial Contract

In December 1997, Treatment Trends, Inc., submitted a Request for Proposal to the United States District Court probation Office in Philadelphia for residential and drug outpatient drug and alcohol services.  In January, TTI was awarded a contract for both services, which will add to TTI’s diverse network of referring agencies.  All referrals from the federal government will initiate from the Federal Courthouse in Philadelphia, and if accepted, will be treated either at Keenan House (residential) or Confront (outpatient or intensive outpatient).  All federal clients must meet existing acceptance criteria prior to admission, and, once admitted, will be supervised by federal probation officers located at the Federal Courthouse in Allentown.

Congratulations!

To Diane O’Brien, Director of Lehigh County TASC for her recent appointment to the position of President of the Board of Directors of Pretrial Services.  Diane was also recently elected to the position of Supervisor, Kidder Township, Carbon County for a 4-year term.  Her dedication and expertise in the civic arena benefits us all. 'thank you, Diane!

 Our goal

For over twenty-five years, Treatment Trends, Inc. has been in the service of treating addiction. The goal of the Trends newsletter is to inform the public of this vital service and the related changes taking place in our community which affect us all. To enhance the value of our newsletter to you, our reader, it important for us to know more about you and the issues that are relevant to you. You can help us in our goal by taking the time to complete and mail the short survey below. We appreciate your input and we will be listening.

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What issues or concerns do you have relating to addiction treatment, domestic violence, sex abuse, counseling and education?

Please clip and mail to: Janis Knight, Treatment Trends, Inc. PO Box 685, Allentown, PA 18105   Thank you!

Don't Forget: Keenan House hosts a Sunday Brunch on the 2nd Sunday of each month and a Car Wash on Saturdays 9am - 2pm @ Texaco Food Mart at 1402 S. 4th Street. Your continued support for these events is very much appreciated.