News-Record.com

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Billie M. Pierce

The Guilford Center recently selected Bridgeway Behavioral Health to run Guilford County's new substance-abuse treatment center at 5209 W. Wendover Ave. Subsequently, we have been asked how and why we chose this provider and if the facility will meet the community's needs.

Before responding to these questions, I want to explain how the treatment center proposal came about.

In 2005, the Guilford County Substance Abuse Coalition released a report identifying weaknesses in the county's treatment system. It pinpointed no social-setting detoxification, limited residential services with structured-day programming, insufficient intensive community support and no jail diversion. Due to changes in service definition, the private agency under contract at that time to provide substance-abuse treatment at West Wendover terminated inpatient detoxification services on March 20, 2006, leaving another gap in the system.

After talking with officials, substance-abuse experts and community leaders, we decided to rebuild the treatment system from the ground up rather than repair the existing system.

In May 2006, a provider forum in Greensboro spotlighted innovative programs from around the state. Using these and national best-practice treatment models, we began to visualize an "ideal" program for Guilford County. In November, we requested assistance from the county commissioners to convert the Wendover building into a full-service treatment center. The request got unanimous support.

Over the following months, staff and a consumer/family member worked with a nationally recognized best-practice consultant from the Duke University Addictions Program to proceed with the request for proposal (RFP). The team developed provider criteria, conducted a nationwide search, reviewed proposals, interviewed applicants, made onsite visits and, finally, selected Bridgeway. Data from an extensive community stakeholder survey were compiled into a needs and gap analysis. A bigger vision began to unfold.

In March, the Guilford Center initiated collaborative sessions involving representatives from government, law enforcement, the judicial system, advocates and others to plan an integrated, system-wide response to substance abuse based on scientifically proven best practices. This evolved into the system of excellence, of which the new treatment center will be a part. The Guilford Academy of Substance Abuse Recovery Advocates is another major component in the system.

How and why was Bridgeway Behavioral Health selected? First, Bridgeway met the stringent criteria of the RFP. The nonprofit Missouri-based agency has 30-plus years of experience, an excellent reputation in best-practice substance-abuse treatment and has built successful programs in large metropolitan areas. Known for innovative outpatient and residential treatment, Bridgeway's staff trained with the acclaimed Matrix Institute on Addiction. It has been active in planning/implementing drug courts in and around St. Louis County. The agency has the resources, training and skills to provide a comprehensive continuum of treatment services suited to all levels of need and also will focus on "after-care" community support to assure that recovering individuals can live and function independently.

When the new facility opens in 2008, we hope it will become a model for substance-abuse treatment in North Carolina.

Billie M. Pierce is director of The Guilford Center.