Third Quarter 2007 - OAR-Inc

3rd Quarter 2007
From the Executive Director |
During a recent meeting with Judge Ed Post of Ottawa
County’s 20th Circuit Court, the Judge shared with me
that school kids often sit in his court to observe the proceedings on sentencing day. Judge Post stacks the case
records of those to be sentenced into two piles. Pile #1
has cases directly or indirectly related to alcohol or drug
abuse and pile #2 does not. Almost without exception,
80% or more ( and sometimes 100%) of the cases fall
into pile #1. The point the kids take home with them is
crystal clear.
Judge Post went on to say that he didn’t think most people had a clue about the extent of the substance abuse
problem we’re facing. He then raised this idea for us to
muse on: “Just imagine if we could do away with drugs
and alcohol...what a profound impact it would have on
the criminal justice system...we could certainly close
some jails and lay off some judges.” (One in four State
employees work for the Department of Corrections which
consumes one-sixth of the entire State budget.) I got to
thinking later that we could also reduce our healthcare
expenditures by 25%, save our nation’s employers billions each year, totally eliminate substance-related auto
crashes etc., etc., etc. This isn’t just pocket change
we’re talking about here...to say nothing about the ten’s
of thousands of lives that would be saved or redeemed
each year. As we parted, Judge Post said something to
me that I’ve been saying to others for years...”Wouldn’t it
be great to see OAR go out of business for lack of customers”.
Ralph Edgington
Two things stand out from our conversation; 1) the problem is enormous and 2) most people don’t have a clue
as to just how enormous it is. Impacting the problem is
complex and challenging work but the payoff is equally
enormous. That’s why I’m so excited about OAR’s
brand new Community & Family Outreach program
which was just launched in September. One of our
major program goals is to raise public awareness and
understanding of substance abuse and how it impacts
our communities. We are also hoping that more of you
will join us in becoming part of the solution on multiple
levels. The possibilities are endless and we’re anxious to
see how God directs us as we move ahead.
While I don’t think OAR is going out of business for lack
of customers any time soon, we can clearly have an even
greater impact for good in our West Michigan communities. Increased community awareness, understanding
and support are the keys to an agency’s longevity and
effectiveness...and our new program is designed to do
just that. We are truly grateful to all who have provided
financial support to make this a reality. Together, we will
continue to provide services that change individuals, families and entire communities for good.
As always, we invite your ideas and
your partnership.
–1–
Victims Impact Panel Begins
Beginning this past August, OAR has assumed responsibility for the Victims Impact Panel in Ottawa County, formerly operated by Ottawa County’s 58th District Court. VIP’s were developed by MADD (Mothers Against Drunk
Driving) and are being provided across the country. This very powerful program brings drunk drivers face to face
with a panel of victims of drunk drivers who share the devastating effects drunk driving crashes have had on their
lives. The goal is to reduce or eliminate repeat incidents of drunk driving, making our streets and highways safer
for all of us.
DID YOU KNOW:
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in the United States for persons ages 1-24.
• 38% of the U.S. traffic fatalities are alcohol-related; on average, drinking and driving kills a
human being every 31 minutes.
• About 3 in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their
lives.
• Studies have found that marijuana severely impairs driving ability by affecting the driver’s perceptual motor functions.
Food For Thought
JUDGE SLAMS NFL HYPOCRISY ON ALCOHOL
The National Football League (NFL) should end its relationships
with alcohol companies if it wants to cut down on alcohol abuse,
according to a judge tasked with deciding if Cincinnati Bengals
linebacker Odell Thurman should be jailed for drunk driving.
The Associated Press reported August 22 that Hamilton County
Municipal Court Judge John Burlew said the NFL was being hypocritical for suspending Thurman for having alcohol in his body
when the league reaps billions of dollars annually from alcohol
advertising. Thurman was suspended four games by the league
last year for failing a drug test, and the suspension was extended
after his DUI arrest in September 2007.
Burlew said the league should stop selling alcohol in stadiums and
stop advertising alcohol products if it is serious about fighting alcohol abuse.
Join together August 23, 2007.
–4–
New Community & Family Program Launched
We are very excited to announce that after 18 months of planning and raising support, our new Community & Family
Outreach (CFO) program is off the ground. The program will include the provision of proactive community education
and awareness activities, as well as a strong emphasis on family outreach. A family treatment component, including
Intervention services will provide much needed services to family members of addicted
individuals.
Mr. Rich Campbell and Ms. Cheryl Tyink have been hired to fill the two direct service
positions in our new program. Both Rich and Cheryl possess MSW’s (masters in Social
Work) and have strong skills and interest in the work ahead. Rich and Cheryl are individuals of great enthusiasm, creativity and integrity and we are fortunate to have them
joining the OAR team. Welcome aboard, Rich and Cheryl!
We are profoundly grateful to everyone who has so generously provided the funding
necessary to make this program a reality. This is truly a community effort and we invite
feedback, suggestions and program participation by all of our readers.
Cheryl Tyink
LLMSW
I grew up in Kansas but nestled down in West Michigan. John and I have been married
for sixteen years. We have three children. Stephanie our oldest, is expecting her first
child in November, A.J. a Marine, recently returned from Iraq, and Amanda a film major,
is studying at Cornerstone University. With a busy family and just finishing school I have
to ask the question, “Hobbies, what are those? I do like to exercise and know that one
day soon I will be back in the clay. I attended Grand Valley State University where I
received both my BSW and MSW degree. My desire to be in the public sector took me
to the business world first. However, I could not escape my passion to be involved in a different way. I shifted to the school setting and helping out at Pathways, where my yearning
to work with individuals and family grew stronger. Along life’s journey, circumstances
have made it clear that substance abuse touches all walks of life and has many different
dynamics. Thus, I am excited for the opportunity to work at OAR and make a difference.
I come with a diverse background (that sounds better than saying I’m strange). I have academic degrees in physical science, political science, and social work. I’ve lived next to both
oceans and many places in between. I have vocational experience as a Geologist, as an
Intelligence Officer in the USAF (that’s a secret), as a Social Worker working with the homeless, and I’ve also worked in a church. I’ll let you guess which vocation was the hardest.
I’m married, have a son, two cats, and a dog. In my spare time I like to kayak with my son,
work in the garden with my wife, and read – I love to read.
Rich Campbell
MA, LLMSW
My life experience has taught me that there are basically two types of people in life, those
who are in recovery, and those who aren’t yet. You can’t go through life without experiencing loss and the need to recover from that loss. I am a firm believer in OAR’s mission to
bring wholeness and healing to persons seeking recovery from addiction. I’ve been associated with OAR for the past 6 years as a board member; I’m looking forward to even more
years as a staff member. I’m very excited about the new Community & Family Program. It’s
humbling to think that the simple act of reaching out to someone who is caught in an addiction can not only change their life, it can change the destiny of an entire family. How could
you say no to that?
–2–
Fall Semester
A Time for Parents to Revisit Discussions About College Drinking
As college students arrive on campus this fall, it’s a time of new experiences, new friendships, and making memories
that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately for many, it is also a time for excessive drinking and dealing with its aftermath
–vandalism, violence, sexual aggression, and even death.
According to research summarized in a College Task Force report to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism (NIAAA), the consequences of excessive drinking by college students are more significant, more destructive, and more costly than many parents realize. And these consequences affect students whether they drink or not.
Statistics from this report which were updated recently indicate that drinking by college students aged 18 to 24 contributes to an estimated 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault of date rape
each year.
Early Weeks are Critical
As the fall semester begins, parents can use this important time to help prepare their college-age sons and daughters
by talking with them about the consequences of excessive drinking.
This rapid increase in heavy drinking over a relatively short period of time can contribute to serious difficulties with
the transition to college. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the first 6 weeks of the first semester are critical to a firstyear student’s academic success. Because many students initiate heavy drinking during these early days of college,
the potential exists for excessive alcohol consumption to interfere with successful adaptation to campus life. The transition to college is often difficult and about one-third of first year students fail to enroll for their second year.
Parents Can Help
During these crucial early weeks, parents can do a variety of things to stay involved. They can inquire about campus
alcohol policies, call their sons and daughters frequently, and ask about roommates and living arrangements. They
should also discuss the penalties for underage drinking as well as how alcohol use can lead to date rape, violence,
and academic failure,
Resources Are Available
For parents who want to talk to their college-age sons and daughters about the consequences for college drinking, a
variety of helpful resources are available from NIAAA.
A special guide for parents offers research-based information including the need to stay involved during freshman
year and how to get assistance if faced with an alcohol-related crisis.
The Task Force’s award-winning website, www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov, features this guide along with links to
alcohol policies at colleges across the country, an interactive diagram of the human body and how alcohol affects it,
an interactive alcohol cost calculator, and the full text of all Task Force materials.
In Kind Donations
• Washcloths
• Bath Towels
• Hand Towels
Its easy to donate to OAR! Call Melinda Jurries at
616-396-5284 today to find out how you can help!
–3–
Looking to the Future…
Nearly 37 years ago a small group of caring individuals recognized the need
for a treatment center where people affected by the by the disease of alcoholism could be treated with dignity and compassion as they began the journey of recovery.
Today OAR is recognized as the leader in addiction treatment in the southwest
Michigan lakeshore communities. OAR’s influence is seen not only in the
changed lives of individuals, but in the professionalism brought to treatment
and the expansion of services available to all alcoholics and addicts, their
families and friends, and our communities.
The investment of those caring individuals and the generous financial support
of other individuals, businesses, churches and foundations in our communities
have paid immense benefits to individual lives throughout the past 37 years.
We depend on your annual donation to continue our day to day operation
now more than ever but as time goes on and our government funding sources
become more and more limited we would be short-sighted not to address
our future financial stability.
You can help insure that OAR’s professional services continue for future generations by generously remembering us in your estate planning. There are
almost as many variations on ways to make donations as there are needs to
be met.
OAR BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Ralph Edgington
Executive Director
Lynn Schweibert
President
Dave Guikema
Vice President
Colette Neumann
Treasurer
Melinda Jurries
Recording Secretary
Jim Bidol
Trustee
Tom Boven
Trustee
Maxine DeBruyn
Trustee
Bob Dorton
Trustee
Dick Harris
Trustee
Nancy MacLachlan
Trustee
Eileen Nordstrom
Trustee
Brian Vork
Trustee
Dr. George Zuidema
Trustee
W HERE R EC OVERY
B EC OMES R EALIT Y
Bequests are the most frequently
used planned gift. A bequest
allows you to make a significant
contribution that may not have
been possible during your lifetime. Bequests are an easy way
to recognize your support of
OAR’s mission and extend your
support in tangible ways to help
us meet the needs of those we
serve.
HOLLAND OFFICE
483 Century Lane
Holland, MI 49424
Ph. (616) 396-5284
Fax (616) 396-8387
GRAND HAVEN OFFICE
1310 Wisconsin, Suite 303
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Ph. (616) 842-6710
Fax (616) 842-1103
ALLEGAN OFFICE
Your gift of a life insurance policy
is an inexpensive and creative way to make a contribution to OAR. Whether
your policy is an existing policy with payments to date or you wish to establish
a new policy and pay premiums on the new policy, your gift can benefit OAR
and those we serve when you list OAR as owner and beneficiary of the policy.
Please consult your financial planner or tax advisor and discover new ways to
make a gift to OAR that takes into consideration your personal circumstances
and the needs of your heirs AND can insure OAR’s future.
–5–
108 Chestnut
Allegan, MI 49010
Ph. (269) 686-9810
Fax (269) 686-8133
HARBOR HOUSE
377 Lincoln Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
Ph. (616) 355-7095
CHESTER A. RAY CENTER
231 Washington Blvd.
Holland, MI 49423
Ph. (616) 396-6872
483 Century Lane
Holland, MI 49423
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Consumer Comments
OAR was a great overall experience and I would def- I really learned a lot about my addiction while coming to OAR. And I have gained some good tools to use,
initely recommend it to others.
on how to stay sober. Thank you for all your help, I
would recommend you to others as well.
Keep doing what you’re doing – SAVING LIVES!!!
OAR was helpful to me and I liked it a lot. The class- I am thankful for the Harbor House Program and that
es really got down to what I needed to hear, the TRUTH they gave me another chance to live a new life and to
of it all. Thanks.
know myself again.
The girls at the front desk were a joy to work with and Thank you for giving me my life back.
my therapist is a fantastic therapist. I learned so very
much from her and her knowledge!
OAR & Chester Ray was an amazing program that
truly helped me with several parts of my life; I would rec I really liked the whole structure of this program! The ommend this program to anyone!
therapists and staff at Chester Ray are top-notch and I
really feel that I gained immeasurable & valuable tools. I will recommend people to Harbor House. My stay
there was the greatest time of my life!