THE WAY BACK

Alcoholism and drug abuse tear at the very fabric that holds a community
together. Families are often the first to be victimized, but the misery can
quickly spread as substance abuse creates a demand that those who peddle the
poison are eager to exploit. The Healing Place for Men in Wake County,
modeled on a similar successful program in Louisville, Ky., has shown that
intensive treatment can work. Now the organizers of the local program have
dreams of expanding their service to women. It is a much-needed and noble
effort that deserves the support of local government, corporate benefactors
and compassionate neighbors.

The Healing Place board of directors envisions a women's facility that would
treat 88 women at a time and include facilities for 12 of their children. It
would echo the work of the larger Healing Place for Men that has been open
for two years and averages more than 150 men, most of them poor and
homeless, on any given day.

Wake County has been stalwart in its support of Healing Place programs. Two
million dollars has been pledged to the new effort by Wake County and the
Wake County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Another $2 million has been
secured from foundations and businesses. The ultimate fund raising goal is
$10 million, which would provide money to build and operate the women's
center as well as fund an endowment to ensure the future of both programs.

With the planned closing of Dorothea Dix state hospital, this area will face
an increased need for facilities to treat the ravages of substance abuse.
The Healing Place for Men has had 116 men successfully complete its program,
Of those, 72 percent have stayed sober for at least a year. Support from the
community -- from government, from business and from the public -- is not
only a good thing to do, it is necessary. Drugs and alcohol do not
discriminate by gender and neither do successful treatment programs.