I attended a public hearing in Amarillo last night. The hearing was called to get public reaction and input on a new transitional drug facility that the Aware Program is trying to establish.
The Aware Program, located at 1201 West 8th Street, already does some good work in Amarillo. They offer drug counseling and case management, operate a small food bank, provide HIV testing and counseling, and conduct Positive Choices classes for juvenile offenders.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I must say that some of my clients receive some of the free services offered by Aware. I like the program, and I think they do an excellent job with the services they provide.
Aware is now attempting to expand and establish a transitional living facility for 30 addicts who are being released from a law-enforcement mandated "Therapeutic Community" drug or alcohol treatment program. The new facility would allow the clients (who are on probation or parole) to gradually transition back into the community and find a job, while living in a safe place and continuing treatment.
This is something badly needed in the Amarillo area. Currently, the closest program is in Lubbock. That's over two hours away and makes it very difficult to transition back into their home community of Amarillo.
The fact is that these clients are going to return to the Amarillo area whether the program is established or not. Personally, I would rather they have access to treatment and counseling, and receive help in finding a job. The alternative is just dumping them back in Amarillo without help -- that would almost guarantee a return to a life of crime.
I was afraid there would be opposition to the proposed program at the public hearing. But the people who came asked intelligent questions, and wound up supporting the new program. I was pleasantly surprised by the community reaction.
This is a good program. I believe it will not only help the clients who go there, but will make our community in general a safer place to live. Now that the public hearing has been held, Aware must wait to see if the Texas Department of Criminal Justice will complete the final step and fund the program.
Like the good folks at Aware, I hope that TDCJ will come through with the funds.
Well someone is not happy about this program. While outside today, a middle aged lady came up to our house and handed me a "flier" on this new treatment program. They call themselves Amarillo Citizens for Fair and Equal Treatment. I do not believe any organizations information without first looking up their site and or talking to them. Well this lady could not get away from me fast enough, she would not even talk to me about her own organization. That made me look them up. I spent about 30 minutes on Google and still cannot find them. However they sure do spill a lot of hate and out of text quotes, and lots of ****'s. They make this program sound like you and your children will not be safe, your home insurance will triple, and there may not be just drug offense people, maybe even people who "Rape, Murder, Robbery?" by way of plea bargaining of course. They also list out the Mayor and the Commissioners name and phone numbers, yet no information on who made this inflammatory flier or how to talk to them.
ReplyDeleteI guess there will always be stupid people. Does she think stopping this excellent program will stop the parolees from coming to Amarillo. It won't.
ReplyDeleteThey will be coming whether this program exists or not. I would rather have them in a supervised program. Otherwise, they'll just be turned loose on our streets, and you can be sure we'll be less safe if that happens.