Your Bridge To Addiction Resources

According to the National Center on Substance Abuse, over 10 million high school students have used addictive substances including tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or cocaine; 1 in 5 meet the medical criteria for addiction. Accessing treatment for addiction is an inclusive process which includes an assessment to determine appropriate level of care. Treatment Access Services Center (TASC) is the licensed central unit intake provider that provides assessments to help youth get the professional help that they need to address their substance use disorder.

Lead Clinical Evaluator, Melani Calabria says that TASC provides public funding for youth to enter into treatment who do not have their own private insurance. Melanie state's young people who are referred to TASC for a drug and alcohol assessment usually do not feel they have a problem. Melanie takes time to formulate a bond with the youth so they feel comfortable sharing their alcohol and drug history. Melanie says in-patient treatment care is more readily available for youth than it is for adults and she works collaboratively with parents, schools, and youth serving programs and agencies to ensure youth have received the appropriate services they need. Melanie says appointments to schedule assessments are available Monday –Friday between 8:30am and 4:00pm.

A rapid response to situations impacting our communities can often result in a long lasting effect on the community. In 2014, Guidance Counselor, Andrew Brett and dozens of residents in the Kutztown Borough formed Kutztown Strong formed to address the problems in the community which were contributing to the use opioids among youth. Community members concerned about the health and wellness of the young people assembled at Kutztown High School desiring to make a difference.

Andrew states that the group of individuals includes business owners, law enforcement, school officials, students as well as local non-profit agencies. The group has implemented several evidence based programs for grades k – 12 to help youth make good decisions and provide education and awareness. Kutztown Strong also developed its own student survey, which is disseminated annually to determine if there the implementation of the programs have urged youth to reduce or refrain from using drugs.

Andrew says that Kutztown Strong seeks input from students to learn more about what things, initiatives, or programs would help students make positive choices instead of illegal activities.

For the past 18 years, Jorge Acevedo has worked at Pennsylvania Counseling Services as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Jorge provides therapeutic counseling, support, and referrals to individuals seeking a pathway to a better way of living. Jorge also represents Pennsylvania Counseling Services as a treatment provider for individuals participating in Drug Treatment Court, a diversionary program which provides intensive supervision and treatment services to those individuals who have criminal charges for crimes related to their addiction. Drug Treatment Court provides a structure and direction to its participants in hopes of encouraging participants to make lifestyle changes. Participation in the programs ranges from 12 –18 months, although Jorge states, ͞it can be longer depending upon an individual’s motivation to follow direction and maintain compliance with program expectations.͟Jorge believes Drug Treatment Court can benefit many individuals and gave an example of a recent graduate who was able to get her criminal record expunged due to successfully fulfilling the requirements of Drug Treatment Court.

The faith based community – more specifically – churches, have a long standing history of providing space to community based groups in an effort to allow individuals representative of different backgrounds, groups, and interests to meet, fellowship and help one another. So, when Common Ground Ministries got started in 2009 within the structure and framework of Atonement Lutheran Church, it appeared to be a perfect fit. Speaking with Tom Scornavacchi, he states Common ground Ministries provides educational speaker series, fellowship opportunities, safe space, as well as referral and support for individuals new to recovery and beyond. Common Ground Ministries are currently in two locations – Atonement Lutheran Church in Wyomissing and Holy Trinity Church in Reading. Tom says the work he enjoys the work he does and finds it to be incredibly miraculous in energizing ways.

Since becoming a Board Member for the Council on Chemical Abuse, Michael Kaucher says his eyes have been opened to the reality of addiction and the hope of recovery. “You see it everywhere,” he says in response to the a question regarding the occurrence of addiction. As Executive Director of the Berks Conference of Churches, Kaucher sees how the church body can be a strong force of awareness. With connection to over 450 churches in Berks County, he hopes to increase opportunities for education on addiction to the faith community. Tune in to hear from Michael as he is interviewed by his daughter Jennifer!

The Topton American Legion Community Ambulance Services provide Basic and Advanced Life Support to the community involving eleven different municipalities. Their goal is to provide the best quality care to the people they serve. In 2015, Topton Ambulance responded to over 1200 calls. Tyler Bard, Chief of Emergency Medical Services for the ambulance company has been involved with Topton Ambulance Services for the past 10 years. Tyler states he has always wanted to help others and his passion grew even more when he attended EMT classes. In his role, Tyler works in collaboration with the Council on Chemical Abuse to facilitate training for the residents of Berks County about Naloxone and how to treat someone who has overdosed from using opioids. Naloxone also known as Narcan is an opioid antagonist and reverses the effects of opioid overdose. Tyler states it is important that individuals administering Naloxone receive training on how to administer the drug and to contact 911. Tyler says that he has administered Naloxone and believes everyone should be aware of its benefits – it is a life saver.

When a person thinks about the YMCA of Berks County/Reading, he/she may think about the family programs such as swimming, child care, basketball, fitness center and summer camp. But did you know that YMCA also provides transitional housing to individuals seeking assistance with life skills, self-improvement and support. Jami Geist, YMCA’s Housing Director says that Y has been a temporary home for hundreds of men and women who are working through a myriad of life situations including homelessness, recovery from use of alcohol and drugs, legal issues and child custody challenges. An employee of the YMCA for 17 years, Jami states she enjoys her job. “I started at the YMCA as a Case Manager.” Jami says she finds it a joy to see individuals who were once living at the YMCA, are now responsible and productive citizens. They are able to work on their goals while residing in the YMCA. These goals are specific to the individual’s needs and the length of stay in the YMCA Housing program varies based on the individuals’ goals. Jami indicated that ex-residents often see her on the streets and stop to say hello and thank you for the help they received as a resident at the Y. The YMCA is a great place for individuals and families.

The Council on Chemical Abuse works with many organizations that provide services for Berks County residents. Anais Clemente, Intake & Benefits Coordinator for the Council on Chemical Abuse, works out of an office at Treatment Access and Services Center (TASC). There she works directly with individuals who are in need of treatment and are applying for medical assistance. The individuals she works with are not insured, or are under insured, and thanks to funding through the Council, these individuals are able to receive the help they need to get into treatment. Since her time working for the Council, Anais has decided to change her major in college to study addiction studies. She was also part of a recent event for the Spanish speaking community. Tune in to watch and hear more about the services available through TASC.

Berks Counseling Center is a licensed facility that provides drug and alcohol services to individuals living in Berks County. The Council on Chemical Abuse has contracted services with Berks Counseling Center to include outpatient counseling, Student Assistance Program services, Intensive Case Management and Transitional Housing for women and children. Connie Malafarina, Clinical Director for Drug and Alcohol Services states, “Berks Counseling Center has walk-in hours Mon – Fri 8:30 to noon, if someone is in need of help”. Individuals are required to complete general background information and meet with a Financial Specialist to determine their eligibility for public funds, which come for the Council on Chemical Abuse. Individuals receiving treatment services are expected to maintain appointment s and work with their counselor to develop goals which contribute to their sobriety. Connie states that soon Berks Counseling Center will have Saturday office hours to meet the growing demand of individual seeking services. Connie shares her desire to help others stems from the tragic loss of her parent in 1995 due to drunk driver. Connie says the value of counseling is what helped her deal with her loss and now she works to help others deal with their struggles.

When it comes to loved getting help for drug and/or alcohol abuse, access to treatment can be challenging, especially if you have no insurance or your co-pay is high and you cannot afford it. Fortunately the Council on Chemical Abuse provides funding for the uninsured or under-insured who desire to get help and are seeking treatment. Bernice Hines Corbit, Case Manager Supervisor at the Council on Chemical Abuse says there are several access points for individuals to begin the process of getting help. Hospitals, Employment Assistance Programs (EAP), and the Central Intake Unit at Treatment Access Services Center (TASC) are all primary entities who are able to facilitate assessment for individuals to determine appropriate level of care. Length of treatment stay is determined by what specific service an individual needs. Bernice states detoxification from drugs is usually permitted for 3-5 days to allow the individual to get out of his/her environment and allow the drugs to deplete from their bodies. Inpatient can vary depending on the individual’s specific need. Bernice says she tries to help as many people as possible and it is not uncommon to have a person seek treatment more than once. Bernice states she has been doing this work for a long time and it gives her pleasure to help those in need.