Pubdate: Tue, 20 Aug 2002
Source: Burlington Free Press (VT)
Copyright: 2002 Burlington Free Press
Contact:  http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/632
Author: Sheryl Bellman
Note: Sheryl Bellman is director of crisis services, Howard Center for 
Human Services.

HELP FOR HEROIN

The Burlington Free Press has recently highlighted stories about heroin and 
its devastating effects on users and their families. The Howard Center for 
Human Services, with funding from the Vermont Department of Health, 
provides support and case management to injection drug users who are 
potentially at risk of HIV infection. This Harm Reduction Team, working out 
of our ACT I Program, has served over 100 individuals in Chittenden County, 
and have worked collaboratively with probation and parole, the court system 
and multiple substance abuse treatment providers.

Recognizing that for each user there is a network of others who are 
profoundly affected by this addiction, we have also been running an 
education and support group for families and friends.

Despite the epidemic proportion of heroin abuse, only a handful of families 
are coming to this group. Where are they, and how can we reach them?

If you know someone whose life has been affected by a family member's or 
friend's heroin addiction, please tell them about this group. We meet on 
the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, from 6-7 p.m. at 189 Pearl 
St. For more information, call Tom Dalton at 860-3567.

SHERYL BELLMAN

Burlington 
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MAP posted-by: Beth