March 1, 2010

Bernie Thompson and Art Towne led us in singing America the Beautiful, the pledge and invocation by Art Towne. Art specifically noted in his prayers the countries of Haiti and Chile. Art and Audrey were host to Flo Torres Larraguilbel in 1986. She wrote to Art that she is safe in Chili even though she now lives in Spain.

Kevin noted he visited Arch Zarone in the hospital and he is recovering from a fall. He is in room 323 and seems in good spirits. Andy Tommelleo did the Rotary Mission Moment by noting the building of wheel chair ramps in Madison County, Georgia by Rotarians and said they were a large help to the community. He suggested we look into something similar.

The Rotary Recognition went to Joe Reagle, an unsung hero amongst us. Joe has participated in virtually every event we have had, from the Chili Open to Pancake dinners, from lite up night to highway clean up, from rebuilding the Carousel building to fireside chat nights, from guest hosting of Scots to being everyone’s friend at Rotary.

President Bill said the Board will meet the next day at 7:30 AM and said that one suggestion we will take on is mentoring new members. He also said there will a end of year dinner, the first of its kind, on June 7. It is for fun and recognition, the cost being $10 and the club will pick up the balance. Jon Solomon will be the featured speaker and Gary Bruce and Bob McCart will work on Paul Harris recognitions.
President Bill said that most of the club wants to keep the pancake event and that the calendar program is in need of discussion.

Gayle Young introduced our speaker, Ken Dressler, the Program Director of Discovery House. He said that Discovery House has 20 clinic locations in 6 states, including Pennsylvania. Here we have a relatively new one at 2710 West State Street in Union Township. It’s mission is to provide comprehensive services for person affected by addiction through community awareness, quality and holistic clinical services in an efficient, safe and fiscally sound environment.

He said he drives daily to New Castle from Westmoreland County. The Discovery House is an alternative drug program using methadone as treatment for addiction to heroin and other similar drugs, including prescription addictions. He said in PA there are 53 programs including his and has seen this grow from 24 in the last 15 years. Each program has to be registered with the PA Department of Health, the DEA and also become accredited by the State.

There are two fold programs for the voluntary patients, one medical and the other mental health. There are three criteria to become enrolled. The first is 18 years or older, the second that the person be addicted to an opiate and thirdly, be dependent for at least one year. No pregnant females can enroll. In New Castle they can service 105 patients, while in Cranberry they are servicing 580 and in the Hermitage are they service about 550. The funding comes from medical assistance as well as self-pay. The voluntary program includes medication and counseling. The length of treatment is about 9 months to a year but can be more.

He said their program of methadone helps in the withdrawal phase and creates a sense of stability during treatment. The drug also helps cut the craving syndrome. It also blocks areas of the brain where opiates go to treat the craving and hopefully prevent usages of opiates and heroin.

Respectfully submitted,

Bruce Waldman