Pubdate: Wed, 22 Nov 2000
Source: Repository, The
Copyright: 2000 The Repository
Contact:  http://www.cantonrep.com/

WHAT HAPPENED TO QUEST CENTER?

What Happened?

A reasonable taxpayer might be wondering just how a residential 
drug-and-alcohol treatment program -- seven years and roughly $1 million in 
the making -- could collapse after a mere two months of operation. The new 
program, managed by Quest Recovery Services in a long-vacant Massillon 
Psychiatric Center dormitory, will shut down Dec. 15, leaving 10 workers 
jobless and scores of future patients without the service.

And leaving as many questions as answers in its wake. The Stark County 
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board -- which channeled funding for 
the project -- promptly owes taxpayers specific answers.

Did the board's executive director, Marlin Pitchford, mislead backers of 
the project, promising more money than would be available? Or did the 
center backers jump the gun and anticipate funding that wasn't guaranteed? 
Was a detailed business plan being followed to direct each dollar coming 
into the project?

The idea had drawn support from many quarters, especially from state Rep. 
Kirk Schuring, who alone garnered $750,000 in funding, and local municipal 
judges who have doggedly pushed the project along.

The facility was designed to help nonviolent drug and alcohol offenders, 
providing better treatment than incarceration would while alleviating 
strain on overcrowded jails. The idea remains a good one.

Taxpayers deserve quick answers. The community deserves the services 
promised by the new facility. And would-be patients deserve our continued 
efforts to see the idea to fruition. 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom