TEEN DRUG CENTER SEEKS COUNTY CASH

VALPARAISO -- County government leaders will discuss contributing to
a fund to bring an adolescent drug treatment center to Porter County.

The Community Action Drug Coalition voted last month to partner with
Pathway Family Center to bring a center to Porter County to help
addicted teens ages 14 to 19.

Bob Taylor, with the Porter County Drug Task Force, told the Porter
County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday the CADC needs another
$200,000 to help get the center up and running. The CADC has already
committed $100,000.

"It's important we work on finding some way to treat our young
people," Commissioner Bob Harper, D-Center Township, said.

The discussion Tuesday with Taylor was informational, and the
commissioners said they need to work with the County Council before
deciding on what to contribute to the Pathway start-up fund.

Pathway Family Center, a not-for-profit organization, incorporates
parents in their child's rehabilitation.

Pathway has locations in Indianapolis, Michigan and Ohio. A number of
Porter County parents travel to Indianapolis several times a week to
participate in the program.

Harper said it was his understanding Pathway would lease a location
in Porter County. Taylor said the center will then hire its own
employees to facilitate the program.

Taylor said Pathway estimated its annual operating budget would be
about $1 million, paid for by grants and insurance money.

If the county chooses to donate to help the program get off the
ground, the contribution would be a one-time expense.

"We've got to do something about the drug problem," Harper said. "We
all know that."