10-14-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 14, 1974 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (CONTINUED) from the administration, two members from the Mental Health Board and two members from the Drug Abuse Council. He mentioned that some alternate locations have been mentioned for Delos House: the Notre Dame Faculty Club, the Nemeth Funeral Home, an area for sale on U.S. 31 North, the Dugdale Estate on Jefferson Boulevard and Tippecanoe Place. Mr. Leo Wallisch, 446 LaPorte Avenue, indicated that he was the mailman for Park Avenue and the surrounding area. He stated that the area has always been a quiet and harmonious area. Then, a drug center "was slipped into the area during the night; and the problems started ". He stated that he had not signed the petition against Delos House and he did not live in the area. He stated that he was concerned about the "social do- gooders ". He indicated that the Council should not be intimidated in its decision regarding the drug treatment center. Dr. Glenn Harris, 53175 Oakton Drive, Director of the Mental Health Center, spoke in defense of the program for the community. He stated that the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Center has scrutinized the program and the budget, and supported the appropriation request. He stated that an advisory committee had been formed to work with all aspects of the program. He indicated that most of the reactions he had heard concerning the program were favorab He felt that, if the program was not doing a service to the community, he would not support such a program. Regarding the location of Delos House, he stated that he would not object to relocation to an equally favorable location. Mr. Donald Fisher, 909 Riverside Drive, thanked the Council for the courtesies extended to those opposing the program. He stated that no politics had entered int any conversation. He indicated that the NIDAS program must be continued; however, he stated that the citizens' requests must be acknowledged. He felt that the program could only work effectively at the proper location. He submitted his statement to the City Clerk and he asked that all those opposing the issue refrain from speaking further. He felt that the Council had heard all that could be said. Mr. Gene Evans, Executive Secretary of the Civic Planning Association, referred to the budget for the Delos House operation and wondered about the residency in the house of 30 persons. He stated that the capacity within the house was considerably less. He asked that this amount be reduced accordingly. Mr. Joseph Stephens, 3417 Oakcrest Drive, the Administrator for the Mental Health Center, stated that the budget submitted recently was based on occupancy of 25 perso He felt there could be some reduction of expenses if the census was lower than 25. He stated that the budget was based upon goals. Mr. Evans stated that the capacity was still less than anticipate He stated that a full staff was being maintained and would be overstaffing the program without full capacity. Dr. Rene Wilett, Executive Director of the Northern Indiana Drug Abuse Services, stated that, at one time, there were 23 members in the program. He indicated that an important part of the program was a "live -out" segment. An average of 17 persons have been living in the house. He felt that, because of the resistance against the program, the fullest capacity was being hamper He stated that the courts close for a period within the summer also; and this could be a reason fox not being at full capacity. Mr. Paul Bognar, 807 West Washington, stated that he was not opposed to the concept of the program; however, the members of the program have been having difficulty because of the present location. He requested the Council to postpone funding of the program until an appropriate location was found. Mr. George Hickner, 835 Park Avenue, felt that the community he lost sight of the concept of the program. He talked about the lives being saved because of the program, and he felt it was a very needed and worthwhile program for the community. He felt "a little rage" because of the controversy regarding Delos House. He urged that the Council appropri the funds to keep the program going. Mrs. Lee Swan, 2022 Swygart, stated that, in the community, there were between 500 and 800 heroin users and between 3,000 and 5,000 poly -drug users. She felt Dr. Wilett's statement regarding full capacity and the closing of the courts was ridiculous. She talked about the "so- called graduates" of the program. She felt the graduates should be named. I July, there should have been 213 persons being treated for drug abuse and NIDAS only reported 98 persons. She wondered about this. She felt various members of NIDAS have threatened the public in the event the funding was not approved. She talked about the controversy created because of th present location of Delos House. Dr. Wilett referred to a letter written by Judge George Beamer, which letter was addressed to the Council members. He read the statement supporting the program and submitted it to the Council. He stated that the Chamber of Commerce authorized a task force to review the programs of NIDAS, and the Chamber gave overall approval of the treatment program an recommended adoption of a program within the South Bend Community School Corporation. Recently, seven members have graduated from Delos House, only a part of the entire program. He stated that NIDAS was trying to do the best job possible and needed an effective program. He referred to charts showing the types of people that needed help. He talked about the professionals administer' and working within the program and the community leaders; how the program helped individuals through counseling, education and vocational training. He stated that individuals are received through volunteers, courts and parole systems, and various agencies throughout the community. He felt NIDAS was saving the community great expenses by taking the addict off the street even for a short period of time. He.stated that Delos House was the comprehensive part of the drug treatment program. He asked for the Council's evaluation of the program and urged approval of the appropria- tion for continued operation. Mrs. Shirley Galloway, 302 East Chippewa, felt that no one wanted t help the drug addicts. She gave NIDAS credit for trying to help the addicts, and she stated that her own son was involved in the program. She hoped the Council would appropriate the necessary funds. Mr. Robert Gonderman, 1126 Irvington, indicated that he practiced law in South Bend and he knew about the problems caused by the drug addicts. He felt NIDAS was offering a reasonable alter- native to the problem within the community. He indicated that he was on the Board for the Mental Health Center, and he would try to accommodate the people in the neighborhood concerning the loca- tion of Delos House. He asked that the residents in the area be patient a while longer until another suitable location was found. Councilman Serge stated that tonight was the first time Mr. Newman had come forward to request an eight -man committee to look into the relocation of Delos House. He indicated that he was pleased to see that, and he felt that relocation could be accomplished. Councilman Kopczynski stated that he objected to the budget for the program - -not the concept of the program. He wondered about bein< overstaffed; and the percentage of city residents involved in the program. He wondered why the ci• should fund a program which benefited residents outside the city. He indicated that he had propos( budget cuts. He stated that he was disappointed by the lack of cooperation shown by the members o: NIDAS. He indicated that he would not approve the present type of administration of the program. He wondered what the members of Delos House do'for gainful employment. Dr. Wilett indicated that the five outside persons were employed. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if those persons eat at Delos House, and Dr. Wilett answered by stating that they eat at Delos House only if they are them for a period of several hours. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that the Couneil had not been gives definite figures concerning certain items and that line items were not set forth as requested. Reverend McGill, 1624 East Wayne Street, indicated that he had been willing to provide whatever information the Council requested. He stated that he had assured Councilman Kopczynski that he would provide whatever information the Council was having difficulty obtaining regarding the pro- gram. Councilman Kopczynski indicated that he had asked for a copy of the lease on the property a- e