Gateway Community Services is a private non-profit organization that serves the people of Cascade County and the surrounding areas. We are dedicated to providing quality, comprehensive community based services addressing the prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug related problems for all who seek services, regardless of their ability to pay. We strive to develop healthy and productive members of our community by improving the quality of life and maximizing the potential of individuals and their families.
Gateway Community Services is contracted through the State of Montana's to provide prevention and treatment services to the community and compensated through the Addictive and Mental Disorders Division of the Department of Public Health and Human Services. Of the persons served at our agency in fiscal year 2006, 94% of them were extremely low, low, or low to moderate income.
Gateway Community Services is a leader in the field of Prevention and Treatment in the State of Montana. We are the only organization of its kind who offers Prevention and Treatment Services in Cascade County on a sliding fee sale in order to ensure affordable chemical dependency treatment to all who seek services.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in people seeking help for their alcohol and drug related problems. In the past 2 years we have seen a 39% increase in the number of people served at our agency. In fiscal year 2006, Gateway Community Services served 88% of the people in Cascade County who sought out treatment. Unfortunately, we are only scratching the surface. Statewide findings have determined that approximately 10% of the adult population has an addiction to drugs and/ or alcohol. In Cascade County only 1% of that population was served. Approximately 9% of our population in Cascade County is reported as needing, but not receiving treatment. These numbers do not include the family members and friends who deal with the day to day issues that come with the problems of alcohol and drug abuse by their loved ones.
By increasing the amount of money coming into our agency, will increase the number of people we are able to provide prevention and treatment services to in our community to continue to strive to assist the people in Cascade County to become healthy and productive members of the community.
Alcohol and drug use is a factor in many of this state's most serious and expensive problems including violence, injury, child and spousal abuse, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy, effects of unborn children of drug users, school failure, car crashes, escalating healthcare costs, low worker productivity, homelessness, rising crime rates and increasing number of death due to overdose or other complications from substance abuse.
In Cascade County (2006) there were 11 people killed in fatal car crashes, 9 of those were Alcohol-Related. There were 505 injury crashes and 1,592 property damage crashes of which 26% were Alcohol-Related. (Montana Highway Patrol 2006 Annual Report)
In 2006, crashes cost Cascade County $59,400,000 for wage loss, productivity loss, medical expenses, motor vehicle damage, employer's uninsured costs and administrative expenses. Each fatal car crash cost $150,000 per crash. Each nonfatal disabling crash costs $52,900 in lost wages. Each non-disabling crash costs $7,500 in property damage. (Cascade County Safe Kids Safe Communities)
We pay 85% of the cost of the crashes. Every American pays about $580 per year.
Research has shown that comprehensive and sustained substance abuse treatment:
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Can help individuals reduce or stop using alcohol and drugs, thereby greatly improving their functioning in the family, at work and in society.
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Is as effective as the treatments for other chronic conditions, including diabetes and asthma.
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Can help people achieve long term control. This control allows people to reach important goals, including reduced alcohol and drug use, reduced criminal activity, gainful employment and more stable life situations.
Extensive experience has revealed a number of issues that are key to successful substance abuse treatment:
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Treatment should be readily available to individuals who need it.
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Individuals need to be engaged in treatment for an adequate length of time.
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Treatment for many chronic conditions involves daily decsions about issues such as diet, exercise or medication. Similarly, "recovery" from alcohol and drug addiction is a dynamic process that requires a person to decide to stay sober one day at a time. Recovery is a long term effort, often requiring multiple episodes of treatment.
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Addiction often occurs simutaneously with other physical and mental health problems. The treatment plan must take those into consideration.
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Treatment programs work better if they are tailored to the person's characteristics and needs. No single type of treatment is appropriate for everyone.
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Treatment must be reassessed periodically so it can be adjusted as needed.
CDC Department of Health & Human Services
Gateway Community Services is asking for your help in serving those people who are seeking help for their alcohol and drug related problems. Your donation will help us to reach more of those people and help them turn their lives around to become healthy and productive members of our community. This will make our community a healthier and safer place to live for everyone.
If you are interested in learning more about our services and how you can help, please contact Collette Stinar, Development Coordinator at collette@gatewayrecovery.org or call (406) 727-2512.
