02/25/74 Board of Public Works Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 25, 1974 Mr. Dale King, Administrator of the Northern Indiana Drug Abuse Center, was present. He said this drug center provides treatment, rehabilitation and service to drug users in St. Joseph County.. There are three departments presently in use; one at 509 W. Washington, one at 1015 E. Madison and the new location at 228 W. Bartlett Street. The Bartlett Street location is a residential program,.under the direction of an M.D. There are 19 residents. At the time the Drug Abuse Center arranged for this lease, they tried to ascertain that they were complying with all regulations°for health, safety, and zoning codes. Their Attorney, Jack Dunfee, checked these regu,lations and assured them they were in compliance. Residents at the center are offered rehabilitation, training and job placement. Mr. Bert .Kochanowski, 837 Park Avenue, asked if the residents of the home are controlled. Mr. King said the Center does control the treatment regime and the activities of the residents are controlled. Mr. Kochanowski asked where the residents come from. Mr. King said some of the residents are probated to the Center through the Courts, some come from the Mental Health Center and some are voluntary. Mr. Ray Braden, 1205 Foster Street, asked Mr. King if the Center had investigated a site at Healthwin Hospital. Mr. King said they did investigate 0 the Nurse's Residence at Healthwin. However, they felt the location was too far C0 from town and the building was badly in need of repair. It was not clear that the County Commissioners would be willing to rehabilitate it. Mr. Maurice Schwartz, 725 Park Avenue, asked if the people at the Center work outside the W Center of remain at the Center all the time. Mr. King said when a resident first comes to the Center, he is not permitted to go outside the building itself. He works within the house. As therapy begins, if a person shows he can be rehabilitated and can hold a job, he is encouraged to work. Mr. Schwartz asked if these prople are controlled, what would happen if a resident is unaccounted for. Mr. King said it is imperative that the Center know where everyone is at all times. All residents are accounted for. If a resident is missing, an immediate search would be made. Mr. King also noted that the Memorial Hospital Psychiatric Ward nd the YWCA Home for Runaway Girls are in this immediate area. Mrs. Betty Fisher, 909 Riverside Drive, said she knows the need exists for such a center, but she is in agreement with Mrs. Doyle in this matter. She said, in every community, residents want a center such as this put somewhere else. She said the nearness of Madison School is her main concern. She said an organization such as this one, with a school one-half block away, is a possible danger. She then asked how many people are presently residing at the Center and what the maximum would be. Mr. King commented that this Center, located anywhere in the City, is going to be close to some school. He said the Center was formerly located at 315 N. Main Street and that location is presently being used for administrative purposes. He said it has been their experience that other drug users are going to stay as far away from a Center such as this as possible. The area around a Center is more free of drugs that most sections of the.Ci.ty. He said there were no drugs at the Bartlett. Street House. Mr. King then commented that there are presently 19 residents at the house and the maximum will be 30. Frannie Forsman, Intake Coordinator for the Drug Abuse Council, then said that no new persons would be seeking treatment directly at the Bartlett Street House. They will all go through the Central Intake Agency at 315 N. Main Street. Mr. Kochanowski asked Mr. King if the strict controls required mean that this type of person would need such controls. Mr. King said that he would consider they would need that kind of control. This is the basis for the kind of treatment the person needs. Mr. King said he thought people might well ask how many patients there are in the Memorial Hospital Psychiatric Ward. He said they have a capacity of 50 and, at present, have 25 patients. Some of these patients are allowed to leave the hospital and walk in Leeper Park. Mrs. Fisher said she is employed in the Psychiatric Ward at Memorial Hospital and that some patients are allowed to leave the ward but with attendants or if they are considered capable of going alone. Mr. Barcome then suggested that people who are objecting to this location might meet with Mr. King. Mr. King noted that there is a meeting scheduled for February 26 at 8:00 p.m. at the Bartlett Street house any any, interested persons may attend. Mr. Barcome noted that citizens who have any questions regarding the Drug Abuse Program may contact Mr. William Hojnacki, Director of Human Resources and Economic Development for the City of South Bend. Mr. Farrand requested that a report of this morning's discussion on the location of the Drug Abuse Center be forwarded to Mr. Hojnacki for his information.