Pubdate: Sun, 06 Aug 2006
Source: Times, The  (Munster IN)
Copyright: 2006 The Munster Times
Contact:  http://www.nwitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/832
Author: Phil Wieland

PORTER-STARKE HOPES TO CREATE DRUG RESISTANCE

Porter County: New Effort Would Work With Adolescents

Pathway Family Center isn't the only one seeking support from the 
Porter County Community Action Drug Coalition for a program to treat 
adolescents with drug and alcohol problems.

At the same meeting last week at which the CADC voted to provide 
$100,000 in seed money for Indianapolis-based Pathway to open a 
center in Porter County, the coalition heard a presentation from Bob 
Franko, Porter-Starke Services development director, for support of a 
program dubbed C.R.E.A.T.E., which also would treat adolescents. 
C.R.E.A.T.E. stands for Community, Resources, Encouragement, Action, 
Teamwork and Enhance. The goal is to develop a treatment program that 
is based on existing, successful treatment programs in the area, and 
maybe tweak them into something new that will make them better.

"We aren't looking to replace or discourage anyone's efforts made to 
this point," Franko told the coalition. "In fact, we would like to 
strengthen them through a strong network of resources and partners."

A recent Roosevelt University study showed Porter County ranks third 
in the nation in the number of deaths per capita from heroin. It's a 
problem those in the treatment community have been aware of for some 
time, but the rest of the community is finally learning, he said.

"There were warning sign all along and people who tried to tell us it 
was coming, but, like so many ills in society, it got washed over 
until it grew into an epidemic," Franko told the board. "We feel that 
to effect a measurable improvement in terms of our community's drug 
problem the key is in prevention and education.

Franko said the CREATE idea came out of a conversation with David 
Kasarda, Portage YMCA director, following another drug arrest at 
Portage High School. More than 50 students were arrested at the high 
school during the past year on drug and alcohol charges.

"Somebody said, 'Somebody should do something.' We want to look at 
what is available, what can be replicated and what we can do that is 
new. I believe the solutions are right here in the community. There 
are a lot of things people are doing well. ... We just need somebody 
to volunteer to pull all this together."

Franko cited the Portage Y's Afternoons R.O.C.K. (for Recreation, 
Object lessons, Culture and values, and Knowledge) drug prevention 
program for youths 10 to 14 as an example of a successful program 
that could be tapped as part of CREATE.

Porter-Starke is negotiating with Roosevelt University, which would 
pull all the information together, including coordinating focus 
groups with students, families and educators to hear what they think 
might work, and draw up a program. The cost of the university's 
participation also is being discussed.

"We want to start working with the schools as soon as they open on 
the focus groups," Franko said. "We haven't decided how big we want 
to make the study, but I think it would be best to work with several 
schools. The cost could easily be in the thousands."

He said it would be ideal if each school system had a drug and 
alcohol counselor to work with students, but he hasn't had a chance 
to talk to schools yet. He hopes to have a program devised by the end 
of the year.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman