Providing Substance Abuse Services I. TOPIC Turning Point/Street Outreach II. LOCATION Oklahoma City and Oklahoma and Canadian Counties, Oklahoma III. SUBJECT Providing Substance Abuse Services IV. SUMMARY The Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma and Canadian Counties, Inc. has long viewed substance abuse as a community problem, rather than solely a health or law enforcement problem. Substance abuse is a major contributing factor in divorce, crime, domestic violence, joblessness, and health care costs. In light of these facts, the CAA created Turning Point, the CAA substance abuse division, 24 years ago. Turning Point provides a wide range of services from educating elementary school children about substance abuse to providing outpatient treatment for substance abusers. Two years ago, Turning Point launched the Street Outreach program. This new program uses a community-based intervention strategy designed to reach substance abusers and their families on their home turf. The Street Outreach program was created to encourage individuals to seek treatment for chemical dependence and provide on site counseling, education, referral and prevention services about substance abuse and about sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, in a culturally sensitive manner. The program uses a model developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, called the "indigenous leader" model. Program staff are highly trained, former substance abusers with ties to the community. These outreach workers are able to model healthy behavior and to develop relationships with community members based on peer trust and respect. These relationships are crucial to the program's success. The Street Outreach program provides a safe environment for entering treatment, and for those not prepared to enter treatment, a trusted guide to services and educational, prevention information. Workers reach at-risk community members through formal talks at alternative high schools and recreation centers, and through informal conversations on street corners and neighborhood hangouts. In addition to providing substance abuse counseling and information, Street Outreach also provides HIV prevention services including condoms, anonymous testing (and counseling), and teaching those who are still using intravenous drugs how to clean their equipment and avoid HIV. V. SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE Created a community-based intervention strategy designed to reach substance abusers and their families on their home turf. VI. CONTACT Jim Sconzo, Executive Director Rick Cartwright, Turning Point/Alcohol Division Director Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City, Canadian Counties (A Community Action Agency) 1900 N.W. Tenth Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106 405-232-0199 405-232-9074 (FAX) VII. CASE STUDY The Problem: Substance abuse is a major contributing factor in divorce, crime, domestic violence, joblessness, and health care costs. According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the use of alcohol and other drugs is directly related to 61% of all criminal arrests in Oklahoma The Approach Adopted: Turning Point launched the Street Outreach program. This new program uses a community-based intervention strategy designed to reach substance abusers and their families on their home turf. The Street Outreach program was created to encourage individuals to seek treatment for chemical dependence and provide on site counseling, education, referral and prevention services about substance abuse and about sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, in a culturally sensitive manner. How They Implemented The Approach: The program uses a model developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, called the "indigenous leader" model. Program staff are highly trained, former substance abusers with ties to the community. These outreach workers are able to model healthy behavior and to develop relationships with community members based on peer trust and respect. These relationships are crucial to the program's success. Funding came from multiple sources. The CAA, through the CSBG, provides administrative support to the program. Turning Point, the substance abuse division of the CAA, also receives funds from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health, Oklahoma Departments of Health, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The primary source of funds for the Street Outreach program has been the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health. Results: Street Outreach provides a continuous presence in the community that also links substance abusers and their families to other needed services. If someone wants to enter treatment and their is a waiting list, support groups are available in the interim, along with access to 24 hour crisis intervention services. Once someone decide to go into treatment, Street Outreach, through Turning Point and the CAA, are usually able to arrange treatment in two days. The program conducts 3 and 6 month follow-ups with clients, tracking their knowledge, behavior changes and progress in coping with substance abuse. VIII. KEY WORDS Addiction Alcohol At-Risk Chemical Dependence Community Action Agency Counseling Crime Crisis Intervention Drugs HIV Intervention Prevention Substance Abuse Sexually Transmitted Diseases ref: turn-pt.doc