The Porter County Substance Abuse Council’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting was held on February 14. This month’s speaker was Sarah Bernard, Counselor at the new treatment facility in Porter County, New Beginnings Counseling, Inc. Treating adolescents, specifically 13 to 17 year olds, with substance abuse issues is the focus of the practice. The adolescent out-patient program consists of family, education and relapse prevention. New patients and parents who are concerned about their child’s possible alcohol or drug use are encouraged to contact New Beginnings Counseling which is located in South Haven at 793-1 Juniper Road. Ms. Bernard’s services also include individual and family counseling. For more information or to make an appointment, call 219-203-2343.
With a Master’s Degree and 12 years experience Sarah is a certified drug and alcohol abuse counselor and a licensed clinical addiction counselor who will provide quality treatment, offer alternatives and show compassion.
In other business, the Substance Abuse Council voted to submit a grant application to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Each year SAMHSA, in combination with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, awards grants to coalitions working toward ending substance abuse around the country. Porter County has never received this grant and the Council is looking forward to working with its many partners and collaborators in the county to secure this funding.
The Porter County Substance Abuse Council will meet at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 14 at the Valparaiso Library, 103 Jefferson Street. Next month’s meeting will feature the Northwest Indiana Field Representative of the Indiana Youth Institute, Stephen Gill.
Dedicated to working for a drug-free Porter County, the Substance Abuse Council is a coalition of treatment facilities, education providers, members of the justice community and concerned citizens. A member of the Governor’s Commission for a Drug Free Indiana, the Council has been providing funding to community resources for over fifteen years.