HELP FOR HEROIN

The Burlington Free Press has recently highlighted stories about heroin and
its devastating effects on users and their families. The Howard Center for
Human Services, with funding from the Vermont Department of Health,
provides support and case management to injection drug users who are
potentially at risk of HIV infection. This Harm Reduction Team, working out
of our ACT I Program, has served over 100 individuals in Chittenden County,
and have worked collaboratively with probation and parole, the court system
and multiple substance abuse treatment providers.

Recognizing that for each user there is a network of others who are
profoundly affected by this addiction, we have also been running an
education and support group for families and friends.

Despite the epidemic proportion of heroin abuse, only a handful of families
are coming to this group. Where are they, and how can we reach them?

If you know someone whose life has been affected by a family member's or
friend's heroin addiction, please tell them about this group. We meet on
the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, from 6-7 p.m. at 189 Pearl
St. For more information, call Tom Dalton at 860-3567.

SHERYL BELLMAN

Burlington