The following is from the News Examiner, Gallatin, Tennessee, dated December 16, 2002:
Local Agency to Aid Those Recovering from Addiction
By Cheryl Tatum, Senior Writer
A program such as TAB was needed in this community, she added.
A nonprofit agency formed in May will serve the needs of those recovering from drug and alcohol dependency.
Today and Beyond (TAB), founded by Mary Lee and Joe Wilkes of Gallatin, is a long-term residential treatment organization offering a 26-week recovery program in two drug- and alcohol-free homes.
"The reason my husband and I went into this is we have had personal experience through a family member who suffered from addiction," Mary Lee Wilkes said. "In working with that family member we found that after a person is ready to turn their life around it is very difficult because of the bad choices they have made. We realized that not all family members are the right person to give that assistance."
The opening of Today and Beyond, Inc. a nonprofit agency providing residential housing for persons recovering from drug and alcohol dependency is celebrated by members of the Gallatin Chamber of Commerce. Seated are Wanda Dresser, Joe Wilkes, Mary Lee Wilkes, Gallatin Mayor Don Wright and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tracy Carman. (Behind the Mayor is Judy Bowling.)
The recovery program has been serving clients since April (2002) and clients come from the court system, treatment centers or are self-admitted.
The residential homes, one for men and another for women, serve clients from Summer County and surrounding areas.
They serve surrounding areas because it is not always in a person's best interest to return to his home community. They need to be around new people, Wilkes said.
Clients are provided assistance in gaining employment and transportation to jobs.
"Our clients are required to work, and that is another area where we need assistance from the community," Wilkes said.
The criteria for admission is sincere desire to stop abusing drugs and alcohol, she added.
The program is being structured to give clients responsibilities and help them make important lifestyle changes to prepare for chemical-free life. Peer counseling is part of the residential program.
The TAB recovery program includes several principals of treatment recognized by such agencies as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Office of National Drug Policy. The first is medical detoxification and, more extensively, keeping clients in treatment for an adequate period of time and submerging them in a culture which reinforces the need for changed behavior. Clients must recognize the need for changed behavior, increasing their success rate.
Addiction to alcohol and drugs costs society about $98 billion annually according to the NIDA, Wilkes said.
Of this economic cost, 46 percent is borne by governments, and 44 percent by individuals and their families. The economic impact of drug abuse on the community has been calculated at $3,700 per month per addict by NIDA, she added.
TAB is operating a a six bedroom men's residence which houses the agency's business office and a three room women's residence. Both houses have a resident manager.
The Rogers Group is the first corporate sponsor for TAB. For the organization to have continued success, both individual and corporate sponsorships are needed.
For information on TAB call 615-206-9958.
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