DRUG TREATMENT CENTER PLANS TEEN PROGRAM

East Valley adolescents with drug and alcohol abuse problems soon will have
a new place to turn for treatment.

St. Luke's Behavioral Health Center is gearing up to begin an adolescent
chemical-dependency program at its new outpatient treatment site in Mesa.
Chip Coffey, director of outpatient services, said the treatment center is
targeting ages 13 to 17 in response to information on teen drug use.

"Kids are moving away from the use of Ecstasy because it's gotten so
expensive and it's gotten harder to get Ecstasy across the border," Coffey
said. "So kids are switching over and using mom's Percocet or dad's Vicodin
from the (medicine) cabinet."

In the past, parents may have checked the levels on the alcohol bottles in
the house but Coffey now cautions parents to check the medicine cabinet. He
said it's wise to be vigilant with prescription drugs, cold medications and
cough syrups containing dextromathorphan.

Coffey said the program would emphasize group counseling under the
direction of licensed therapists.

"We find that people with chemical-dependency issues respond quite well in
group settings, mainly because of the peer pressure," Coffey said. "You
have other people in there helping to keep you honest and helping to keep
you on track."

St. Luke's Mesa outpatient site also provides adults with
chemical-dependency treatment. The adult program has been up operating
since the facility on Mesa Drive opened about a month ago. The treatment
site has enough therapists to staff morning and evening groups of about 15.
Coffey said they can add staff if the need arises.

The program uses a 12-step approach combined with cognitive behavioral
therapy for both adults and adolescents.

"We have people look at their thoughts and feelings and their beliefs,"
Coffey said. "It's kind of an ongoing evaluation of what generates these
urges to use."

One of the core beliefs of the program is that the family and support
system play an integral part in the illness and its treatment.

To give families that support, Coffey said a future goal of the program is
to offer free seminars for parents through several school systems in the
East Valley.

In the meantime, therapists are working with local people who are
struggling to maintain sobriety.

Therapist John Prosser, who has worked for St. Luke's since 1998, said he
has seen how drug and alcohol abuse devastates people's lives.

"On the bright side, though, if they make a change, life can be wonderful,"
Prosser said. "With treatment, healing within a family can take place."

If people don't get services through St. Luke's, Coffey urges them to check
their insurance and find out where they can get treatment.

"It's better to catch it on the front end than to wait," Coffey said.