WestCare

WestCare To Soon Open
ANOTHER VIEWPOINT, Frank Crum, Appalachian News-Express
July 31, 2005

I had the opportunity to visit WestCare Treatment Center on Elkhorn Creek this past week. The facility is the former youth academy at the mouth of Sycamore Creek. Prior to that, it served as Sycamore Elementary School. The building was constructed in the early '60s. In fact, I attended eighth grade there the year it opened in 1961. The place is a lot different now than it was then. The proprietors of the youth academy remolded the facility enabling it to house clients 24 hours a day. The building is quite impressive and ideal for a drug treatment center.

The first clients will being arriving in about two weeks (August 15). A few will be arriving each week until the desire number of adult males, ages 18 and up, are on campus. At the present time only 30 residents will be accepted even though it is licensed for 72. This is due to the fact that funding has been received for only 30. The majority of this funding ($750,000) is in the form of a federal grant. The property itself has been donated by Gary and Anita Johnson.

The ability to pay for treatment is not a criteria for entrance into the substance abuse center. However, if, 10 of the first 30 have insurance that covers treatment or have money to pay for treatment, then 10 more will be accepted. In other words, for everyone who can pay, one more will be admitted until the number of 72 has been reached.

WestCare Kentucky is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. This means that gifts are tax deductible. Monetary contributions, as well as gifts of needed merchandise, translates into more people receiving actual treatment for their addition.

At present, only around 45 beds have linens on them with no extras to change. There are enough beds but not enough chests of drawers. Items such as towels and vacuum cleaners are also needed. Every item that is donated translates into more dollars that can be used for actual treatment. The above items would be good projects for Sunday school classes or ladies groups. In fact, my Sunday school class has purchased a vacuum cleaner. I also believe that HOPE, Inc. will be able to assist in various ways.

The minimum amount of time a resident will remain at the facility is 90 days. Many will remain there for twice that long or even more. A long term center of this type is desperately needed in our area. The only problem is that it is not nearly large enough to meet the need of even one large community in our county, much less Eastern Kentucky. Of course, the more we can help, the more treatment can be administered.

If you would like to help, contact Erdil Looney, administrator. If you can't help, then pray for its success. Also, please do not turn a blind eye to the drug epidemic that is raging in our area.

WestCare is a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Organization