| Rockland schools for substance abuse counselors merge
Two Rockland schools that train students to become credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselors have merged. The CASAC School of the Rockland Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependence and the Addiction Counselors Training Program of Rockland County will now operate as the Rockland Chemical Dependency Studies Institute out of the new Haverstraw Center in Haverstraw. "We've had two competing agencies that are now bringing together the finest leaders and instructors in the field under one roof," said Debbie Maidman, operations manager of the new school. "They are coming together with the same mission, the same focus." Accredited counselors who graduate from the school work in outpatient and inpatient treatment centers, the criminal justice system, schools, department of social services and department of transportation evaluations, rehab and halfway houses.
Court makes it easier for patients to enter rehab
Pennsylvanians battling drug and alcohol addiction will not need a second opinion from their HMO before entering treatment programs, a state appeals court ruled. In a unanimous decision released Thursday, Commonwealth Court ruled that group insurance companies and HMOs must cover drug and alcohol treatment costs for policy holders referred to detoxification, rehabilitation and outpatient programs by a doctor or psychologist. The ruling will help about 15,000 state residents with private insurance who seek substance abuse treatment each year, said Deborah Beck, president of the Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania. It's a really important decision that I think gives power back to doctors and psychologists, said Beck, whose Harrisburg-based organization represents licensed treatment centers and school-run counseling programs.
Celebs aside, rehab can work
Lindsay Lohan is back in rehab. It's not surprising, really. How serious can one be about overcoming addiction when one jumps back into the Los Angeles party circuit wearing an ankle bracelet designed to measure one's blood-alcohol content days after checking out of a chic substance-abuse treatment center? Lohan faces new charges of misdemeanor drunken driving, felony cocaine possession and driving on a suspended license following an incident early Tuesday morning. She had been out of rehab less than two weeks. It is not unusual to relapse in substance abuse recovery, celebrity or no. Actor Daniel Baldwin, who allowed ABC News' "Primetime" to tape various stages of his three-month drug-treatment program in Malibu, Calif., reportedly tried nine other treatment centers in his battle with addiction.
Fighting addiction is a struggle at any price
High-profile alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers seem like a home away from home for Hollywood celebs like Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie and Robert Downey Jr. Some charge nearly $50,000 a month. But since Lohan's arrest last week on charges of driving under the influence and possession of cocaine -- after several in-and-out stays at pricey rehab clinics -- one wonders what, if anything, works. Headlines about backsliding celebrities should not lead people to believe rehabilitation clinics are not worthwhile. However luxurious -- or Spartan -- the surroundings, however famous or workaday the patient, it's not unusual for people fighting addictions to fail often before they may finally succeed, say doctors and those who run rehab clinics.
Bikers plan drug courts boost
Former drug court graduates will take their motorcycles on the road Saturday to raise funds for people who are trying to change their lives and recover from drug addiction.
Ken Rosenbaum began riding his motorcycle over 35 years ago, but never imagined using his favorite pastime to help others.
Today he is the coordinator of the 1st Annual Ride for Recovery in Salt Lake City, sponsored by Stepping Stones and Friends of Drug Court.
Rosenbaum first became involved in drug court when he was required to attend because of his crimes. "It saved my life," Rosenbaum said.
Utah has 32 drug courts statewide that offer nonviolent, drug-abusing offenders the option of receiving intensive, court-supervised drug treatment as an alternative to jail or prison.
National awards - delayed not denied
Mumbai, Aug 8 (IANS) The announcement of the winners of 53rd National Awards for 2005 has came a year late but the delay hasn't taken away the thrill from the winners. Be it Amitabh Bachchan or Anupam Kher, all the recipients are happy to be honoured with the country's most prestigious film awards. Anupam, who has won the special jury's award for his performance as the demented Gandhian in 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara', told IANS from Simla: 'It feels good to be awarded for a film that I produced and which is so close to my heart. This project caused so many heartburns, if you know what I mean. 'I'm sure there're people out there who are not very happy with my victory in a Gandhian film. All I can say to them is, Gandhiji ki jai ho.' Amitabh Bachchan, who will receive the best actor award for playing a reformed alcoholic who struggles to give a physically handicapped child a new life in 'Black', says he is humbled to get his third National Award.
Support groups
Alzheimer's and related dementias caregiver support group, 6:30-8 p.m., first Wednesday of the month, Fishing Creek Salem United Methodist Church, 402 Valley Road. Information: Joanne Geesey at 888-427-8211. Bereavement, men's breakfast allowing men to join other men who have experienced the death of a spouse for breakfast and conversation, 8-9:30 a.m., first Tuesday of the month, on the West Shore. Call Hospice of Central PA for location: 732-1000 or 866-779-7374. Bone marrow transplant support group, 7-8:30 p.m., first Thursday of the month, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, auditorium anteroom, 500 University Drive. Information: Tom Edmunds at 531-4291. Breast-feeding support group, La Leche League of Mechanicsburg, 7 p.m., first Wednesday of the month and 10 a.m.
Members appointed to new Recovery Services board
Stark County commissioners on Thursday appointed the majority of members needed to create the board that merges Stark Countys mental-health and drug and alcohol addiction services. The state Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services and the Ohio Department of Mental Health still must approve their respective four appointments to the newly created Stark County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. Nine of the commissioners nominations to the 18-member board are new faces. Only Perry Township Police Chief Timothy Escola serves on the existing Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services board. Twenty-five people applied for the positions. New members appointed are Gary Ballinger, who retired in 2001 from the field of addiction treatment; Elizabeth Bowen, regional director of development for Planned Parenthood; Margaret J.
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