ARP/Phoenix Prevention Services Provides Substance Abuse Programs for Youth Across North Carolina
ARP/Phoenix, a major provider of prevention, outpatient, inpatient and residential mental health and substance abuse services in North Carolina, has assumed a key role in substance abuse prevention in 28 counties throughout North Carolina.
(PRWEB) December 10, 2004 -- ARP/Phoenix, a major provider of prevention,
outpatient, inpatient and residential mental health and substance abuse services
in North Carolina, has assumed a key role in substance abuse prevention in 28
counties throughout the state.
“The overall growth of our organization
during the past year has been phenomenal,” says Don Reeves, director of
ARP/Phoenix. “In 2003 we conducted over 2,700 individual assessments and had
over 24,000 client contacts. In 2004 we came close to doubling those numbers. We
now employ approximately 300 full-time and part-time staff members, more than
quadruple the number we had with us last year.”
A portion of this growth
can be attributed to the expansion of ARP/Phoenix Prevention Services. “Our
prevention services programs provide young people with the skills they need to
avoid substance abuse and other risky behaviors,” says Blair Clark, senior
member of the ARP/Phoenix management team. “These programs deliver prevention
skills and strategies for children, adolescents and parents. Everything we do in
this regard is based on helping them develop a compelling vision for their lives
and the strategies and skills necessary to make their vision
reality.”
ARP/Phoenix, an Asheville-based non-profit organization owned
by Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care, Inc., works with communities across North
Carolina to implement science-based model prevention programs approved by the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP).
“We know that teenage
alcohol use and other drug use are problems in North Carolina,” says ARP/Phoenix
Prevention Coordinator Patti Tiberi. In fact, 45 percent of 8th graders, 75
percent of 10th graders and 83 percent of 12th graders report that that alcohol
and drugs are available to them. And while many people may have the
misperception that most teens are regularly using these substances, the truth is
that the majority of them don’t.”
A great deal of prevention research has
gone into determining why most young people are choosing to abstain from these
readily available substances, and the findings are being integrated into model
prevention programs. These programs focus on providing youth with access to the
protective factors that contribute to healthy choices. “Most youth-oriented
prevention programs reduce or delay use of alcohol and other drugs by up to 30
percent,” continues Tiberi. “When you consider that the total national cost
attributed to drug and alcohol, abuse and dependency is nearly $250 billion
annually, it’s obvious that prevention programs are a very good
investment.”
“We now have funding to help start prevention programs in
several North Carolina counties,” says Reeves. “These model programs have been
approved by SAMHSA, CSAP and the State of North Carolina. Anyone wanting to be
part of this community-based prevention effort can email Patti Tiberi Prevention
Coordinator at e-mail protected from spam bots or call her at 828-254-2700,
extension 322. In addition, you can find more information at our
website--www.arp-phoenix.com.”
Prevention Programs currently facilitated
by ARP/Phoenix:
• AllStars works as a school-based or
community-based program for adolescents 11 to 14 years old to delay and prevent
high-risk behaviors including substance use, violence and premature sexual
activity by fostering development of positive personal
characteristics.
• Guiding Good Choices (GGC) uses
multimedia to give parents knowledge and skills for guiding children through
early adolescence (eight to 13 years old).
• Parenting
Wisely is a computer-based program to help children nine to 18 years old and
their parents combat risk factors for substance use and abuse. It uses a
risk-focused approach to reduce family conflict and child behavior problems such
as stealing, vandalism, defiance of authority, bullying and poor hygiene.
• Children in the Middle is a program for children age
five to 18 and their parents to reduce the impact of divorce or separation. The
program helps families improve communication reducing the likelihood of youth
choosing alcohol or other drug use to help cope with the pain of the
experience.
• Project Alert dramatically reduces the onset
and regular use of substances by middle school students (11 to 14 years old) by
focusing on substances adolescents are most likely to use--alcohol, tobacco,
marijuana and inhalants.
• Project Toward No Tobacco (TNT)
is a comprehensive classroom-based program designed to prevent or reduce tobacco
use by children 10 to 15 years old.
• Project Toward No
Drug Abuse (TND) helps high school youth age 14 to 19 years old resist substance
abuse through motivational activities, social skills training and
decision-making
• Second Step is a classroom-based social
skills program for children from pre-school through middle school, or four to 14
years old. This innovative program focuses on reducing impulsive, high-risk and
aggressive behaviors.
• Strengthening Families trains
children age six to 14 years old and their families and shows them ways to
reduce risk factors and avoid behavioral, emotional, academic and social
problems.
Some counties currently served by ARP/Phoenix Prevention
Services:
• Western Highlands (Buncombe, Henderson,
Mitchell, Yancey, Transylvania, Rutherford, Polk, Madison counties): contact
Patti Tiberi or Jeanne Dairaghi at 828-254-2700.
• Pathways
(Gaston, Lincoln, Cleveland counties): contact Maceo May at
704-842-6382.
• Foothills (McDowell County): contact Lewis
Dorman at 828-438-1002.
• Smoky Mountain (Graham, Clay,
Cherokee, Swain, Haywood, Jackson, and Macon counties): contact Patti Tiberi at
828-254-2700 x 322.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/12/prweb187110.htm