Pubdate: Wed, 06 Sep 2006
Source: Post-Tribune (Merrillville, IN)
Copyright: 2006 Post-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.post-trib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3349
Author: Tom Wyatt, Post-Tribune, staff writer

TEEN DRUG CENTER SEEKS COUNTY CASH

VALPARAISO -- County government leaders will discuss  contributing to
a fund to bring an adolescent drug  treatment center to Porter County.

The Community Action Drug Coalition voted last month to  partner with
Pathway Family Center to bring a center to  Porter County to help
addicted teens ages 14 to 19.

Bob Taylor, with the Porter County Drug Task Force,  told the Porter
County Board of Commissioners on  Tuesday the CADC needs another
$200,000 to help get the  center up and running. The CADC has already
committed  $100,000.

"It's important we work on finding some way to treat  our young
people," Commissioner Bob Harper, D-Center  Township, said.

The discussion Tuesday with Taylor was informational,  and the
commissioners said they need to work with the  County Council before
deciding on what to contribute to  the Pathway start-up fund.

Pathway Family Center, a not-for-profit organization,  incorporates
parents in their child's rehabilitation.

Pathway has locations in Indianapolis, Michigan and  Ohio. A number of
Porter County parents travel to  Indianapolis several times a week to
participate in the  program.

Harper said it was his understanding Pathway would  lease a location
in Porter County. Taylor said the  center will then hire its own
employees to facilitate  the program.

Taylor said Pathway estimated its annual operating  budget would be
about $1 million, paid for by grants  and insurance money.

If the county chooses to donate to help the program get  off the
ground, the contribution would be a one-time  expense.

"We've got to do something about the drug problem,"  Harper said. "We
all know that." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake