Recovery center showcases new program

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The program will assist those who have disorders — which Story said mostly include mental health issues — that coexist with their drug or alcohol addictions. The program was seen as a need in the community, Story said, and it was important for the board of directors to treat local residents instead of sending them around the state.

A few years ago ARC bought the building next door to its location on Northwest Ninth Street in Ontario. As a result of the property purchase, Story said they were able to expand the women’s treatment program. In addition to 12 more beds for women, Story said they have also added a “Mommy and Me” program with 12 beds as well.

By the time chemically-addicted mothers enter the recovery center, Story said many have lost parental rights to their children. To help solidify the family unit, the “Mommy and Me” program will bring one child under the age of 6 into the facility to eventually live with the mother.

“By the time they get here, the children have been removed and are in foster care,” Story said.

The program will begin with child visits to the mother, Story said, and will eventually evolve into a 24/7 relationship while the mother recovers from addiction. The program will focus on habitation instead of rehabilitation, Story said. Rehabilitation focuses on fine-tuning skills that are already there, but habitation targets abilities someone never had to begin with, she said.

“We’ll be giving them good life skills and parenting skills along with the treatment,” Story said.

Another facet of the “Mommy and Me” program will be educational services, like taking classes for a GED, Story said. In the future, she said one goal is to expand the educational services to everyone in the treatment center. Also, Story said they would also like to implement a “Daddy and Me” program at some point.

“Mommy and Me” coordinator Cindy Webster said the agenda not only helps the mother and child, but it also helps the entire community. Children from broken homes often act out in society, and Webster said bringing the family unit together again will help children adjust.

“It’s (addiction) taking a toll on our future, and our future is our children,” Webster said. Methamphetamine addiction continues to take its toll locally. Story said 56 percent of those admitted in programs are there for meth addictions while 29 percent are there for alcohol. The remaining percentage is a combination of other miscellaneous drugs, she said.

While many think meth addiction is worse than others, Story said addiction affects everyone the same way. The effects of meth are quicker, she said, addicting people to it faster than with other types of drugs. Addiction is a disease, Story said.

“It’s (addiction) all the same — a drug is a drug is a drug,” Story said. “Addiction is the only disease that tells you don’t have a disease.” To donate money or furniture items to ARC or for information about volunteer opportunities, call Story at (541) 889-2490.