by Mike Ross
Friday, Aug. 10, 2007
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Salvation Army says it's being forced to shut down a one-of-a-kind substance abuse detox center in Anchorage, a move city officials say caught them by surprise and has them concerned.
For 30 years, the Clitheroe Center has offered substance abuse treatment for thousands of people.
Salvation Army Divisional Commander Maj. Douglas Tollerud said the center serves a vital need in the community.
"It deals with the clients that are chronic alcoholics throughout our community and when there is no other place to go, they are sent to us," Tollerud said.
But effective today, the 8-bed detox unit at Clitheroe is shutting down.
It was the only detox facility of its kind in the entire state and the nationwide nursing shortage is forcing the shut-down.
"Well, the Salvation Army has made this decision because we are unable to get the qualified staff to keep the program operating in a safe manner," Tollerud said.
Many of the detox unit's patients, some chronic inebriates, were picked up from the streets and parks of Anchorage.
And the Anchorage Municipal Manager Denis LeBlanc is worried the closure of the detox unit will put a strain on city paramedics and police.
"And they'll be transporting more individuals who no longer have the opportunity to spend five days in detox, they're back on the street, they're in the revolving door. So, we're concerned," LeBlanc said.
The Salvation Army provided the detox services under a contract with the state.
Melissa Stone with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services said there is an alternative plan.
"We want to reassure the public that we have a plan in place and that the needs of people are going to be taken care of," Stone said.
Stone says for now, patients that would have gone to the detox center will be screened at Providence Hospital's Psychiatric E.R. and then treated at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute.
And the state says it's searching for other providers to run the detox services, which all involved agree is a crucial service in a state with the highest substance abuse rate in the nation.
The Salvation Army says it was forced three years ago to cut back the number of beds at the detox center because of state budget cuts.
But the state says funding for the program has remained the same since 2005.
The other substance abuse programs at the Clitheroe center will remain open.
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