ESCANABA - Public Health, Delta & Menominee (PDHM) counties has announced the closing of its Alcohol & Other Drug Services (AODS) treatment program. This closure will affect both the Delta and Menominee offices.
The AODS program will no longer accept new clients, effective immediately. Current clients of the program will be able to complete their services or will receive assistance to transfer to another treatment provider.
According to Barbara Chenier, PHDM health officer/administrator, this action was taken as the result of declining revenues for the program during the past few years, which have made it impossible for PHDM to continue offering the service.
"We deeply regret having to take this action," Chenier said. "AODS treatment services have been provided by the health department for more than 30 years. In fiscal year 2009, 458 individuals received counseling services through the program. This is a loss to the community."
The health department will continue to provide substance abuse prevention services in the schools and community.
"There is certainly a need in the community, so this is unfortunate," explained Chenier. "It is not unique to hear, though. There have been programs like this closing around the state for years."
According to Chenier, the main source of revenue for the AODS programs are the fees collected from the insurances and program participants.
"Between people paying out of their own pocket, reduced Medicaid rates and insurance reimbursement, the fees aren't able to support the cost of running the program," she said. "We did our best to hold it together for as long as possible, but we can't do it anymore."
Referrals to initial education classes, like the OUIL (Operating Under the Influence of Liquor), driver's license evaluations, and court courses, will still be accepted by PDHM.
The individual and group treatment programs, such as counseling programs mandated by the courts, are the programs being cut from the health department's offerings.
According to Chenier, while Delta County has Catholic charities that offer a number of substance abuse counseling programs, Menominee does not. The program participants from Menominee will be left to find services on their own.
The AODS participants will not be the only people affect by the closure, notes Chenier, the treatment program will also face employee layoffs.
For those seeking substance abuse treatment services, contact the Pathways/NorthCare Network Central Diagnostic and Referral Office, located in Marquette, at (800) 305-6564 or check their website www.pathwaysup.org/subabuse for a list of other treatment providers in the region.