April 24, 2013 Vol: 20 No: 17 by: Aaron Burkhalter , Staff Reporter King Countys Mental Health, Chemical Abuseand Dependency Services Division is changing how treatment providers view those with chemical addictions. Before, a relapse into drug use was a failure in the eyes of King Countys treatment services. Now, its just another step in the process. Assistant Division Director Jean Robertson said recovery operates on a spectrum. Thats why the county, and the many organizations contracted to provide treatment, will now treat chemical dependency the same as mental health as a lifelong chronic illness that requires ongoing treatment. This shift will change how the county talks about clients and trains providers. The agency is also exploring the use of more peer counseling services, meaning people who have recovered from addiction are helping the clients as well. This model is already used for mental health treatment. This will guide how the county thinks about and engages with clients but wont create new funding for chemical dependency. Its a shift in philosophy, and its a shift in culture, Robertson said. The countys health and human services funding is a fraction of what it was even five years ago. In 2006, the … Continue reading →

The Collier County Bar Foundation has awarded the David Lawrence Center a $2,500 grant to fund recovery incentives for the Adult Drug Court program. The recovery incentives program provides motivation for individuals participating in the Collier County Adult Drug Court. Drug Court participants are individuals with a non-violent, drug-related felony charge for whom drug abuse or addiction is one of the motivating factors in the commission of the crime. Drug courts guide individuals with chemical dependency into treatment that will reduce drug dependence and improve the quality of life for offenders and their families. In the Drug Court program, participants are closely supervised by a variety of jurisdictions and agencies including the State Attorneys Office, the Public Defenders Office, Department of Corrections, the Drug Court Judge and the David Lawrence Center. Best practices in drug courts include providing token rewards for compliance with the purpose of shaping participant behavior in the direction of drug court goals and other positive behaviors. Information: (239) 455-8500 or http://www.davidlawrencecenter.org. 2013 gonaples.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The rest is here: David Lawrence Center receives grant for Drug Court program … Continue reading →

Published on 24 April 2013 Hits: 98 Written by PERSIDA ACOSTA Dear PAO, Will a drug user who voluntarily surrenders to be rehabilitated be sued for violation of the dangerous drugs law? MHT Dear MHT, A drug user under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165 otherwise known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 refers to any act of injecting, intravenously or intramuscularly, or consuming, either by chewing, smoking, sniffing, eating, swallowing, drinking or otherwise introducing into the physiological system of the body, any of the dangerous drugs (Section 3 [kk], R.A. No. 9165). A person apprehended or arrested, who is found to be positive for use of any dangerous drug, after a confirmatory test, shall be imposed a penalty of a minimum of six (6) months rehabilitation in a government center for the first offense. If apprehended using any dangerous drug for the second time, he/she shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and a fine ranging from P50,000 to P200,000 (Section 15, R.A. No. 9165). A drug dependent or any person who violates Section 15 of R.A. No. 9165 on Use of Dangerous Drugs may by … Continue reading →