HEROIN FACILITY IRKS NEIGHBORS

Officials Say Newark Center Violated Policy

To help combat the growing problem of drug abuse among young adults, Delaware
opened its first residential heroin treatment center for that age group last
week in Newark, but some residents and state legislators hope the facility will
find another location.

Gaudenzia Inc., a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit agency that operates 75
treatment programs in Pennsylvania and Maryland, started accepting clients for
Delaware Fresh Start, a 20-bed coed facility just off West Chestnut Hill Road.

Lawmakers said the agency violated state procedures that require notice be
given to a community and legislators when such a facility is planned.

"The bottom line is there is a state policy in place with respect to giving
notice to the community so residents have an opportunity to comment," said Sen.
Steve Amick, R-Newark. "That did not happen."

The center targets 18-to-25-year-olds, especially those addicted to heroin,
minorities who are at high-risk for HIV/AIDS and individuals imprisoned for
drug-related activities who have been released over the past two years, said
Derek Davis, program director. With an average six-month stay, about 40 young
adults per year will be treated at the center.

Amick, a West Chestnut Hill resident, said residents are concerned about the
facility's location at 11 Independence Way, in a residential neighborhood and
next to the Southridge senior-citizen condominiums. He said he and Rep.
Stephanie Ulbrich, R-Newark, are looking at their options and have asked to
meet with Gov. Ruth Ann Minner to discuss the issue.

"We are supportive of the concept of a heroin treatment program, but not at
this location," Amick said. Davis would not respond to Amick's comments.

Ulbrich said if there had been more time for the community to learn about the
center before it opened, the community might better understand and accept it.

According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, Delaware is among the
top 10 states with the highest prevalence of illicit drug use among 18- to
25-year-olds, said Allison Taylor Levine, communications director for Delaware
Health and Social Services. There has been a dramatic increase in the use of
heroin, in particular, by this age group, she said.

The Gaudenzia program, funded for three years, received $500,000 from the
Delaware Health Fund, which includes money from the state's settlement with the
tobacco industry, and $250,000 from the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse
and Mental Health, Levine said. Clients do not have to pay for the program.
They are referred from other treatment providers - mostly outpatient providers
and detox centers.

This is not the first residential heroin treatment center in Delaware, Levine
said. Three other facilities, all for general substance-abuse problems, are on
the grounds of the Governor Bacon Health Center in Delaware City. The three
centers combined handle about 80 individuals.

But until now, Delaware lacked a residential program with services specifically
designed for young adults 18 to 25, Levine said.

Clients at the Gaudenzia center already will have completed a detox program or
some other program at a lower-level care facility when they arrive, Davis said.

Each client will participate in "work therapy," which includes certain
responsibilities such as cleaning rooms or helping in the kitchen. They also
will participate in group discussions and seminars, counseling sessions and
recreational activities.

The center is not a locked facility, Davis said. There are no bars on the
windows or security guards at the doors. Clients are monitored 24 hours a day
by staff members.

"If we feel it is not for them, we will refer them to where they need to be and
transport them there," Davis said.

Because of its close proximity to residential neighborhoods, several concerns
were raised at a recent meeting held at the center. More than 100 West Chestnut
Hill Road residents attended.

Resident Arthur Hearn said he has concerns about the location.

"There is a concern about security. The major concern is that they came into
our neighborhood without telling us they were coming in."

Davis said if a client left the grounds, he would likely call police as a
courtesy to neighbors.

A community advisory board will be set up with representatives from local
community groups, Davis said. The center will hold an open house in a couple of
weeks.

"The community shouldn't be concerned," Davis said. "We hope that we will build
a positive relationship with the neighbors and will be a positive asset to the
community."