Pubdate: Tue, 26 Apr 2005
Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU)
Copyright: 2005 Pacific Daily News
Contact: http://www.guampdn.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.guampdn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1122
Author: Ryota Dei
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

FUNDING WOES HIT REHAB CENTER

The Salvation Army's Lighthouse Recovery Center is seeking help once
again, saying the center faces permanent closure unless it obtains
funding by June 1 to complete its operation this fiscal year.

"Our divisional commander has warned us that if the center is closed,
it will not be reopened," said Maj. Dave Harmon, head of The Salvation
Army Guam Corps, adding the center needs $150,000 by the June 1
deadline to stay open.

As the island's only residential rehabilitation center for adult male
substance abuse patients, it has served more than 200 people in its
residential program since it started in 1998. It has served hundreds
more through its outreach and outpatient programs.

Its operational funds are expected to run out some time in June, so
the center has stopped accepting new clients, Harmon said.

If the center's services are hindered, the social cost to the
community could be more.

Center director Renata Bordallo has told the Pacific Daily News the
community saves $7 for every dollar spent on substance abuse service
programs. Such programs eliminate the costs of incarcerating,
hospitalizing and providing public assistance to those who would
otherwise not be able to receive the center's services, according to
PDN files.

"I view the service we provide as a critical service. The community is
getting more and more dependent on our services. Everyone is in
desperate need of our services, but we are not getting funding from
anybody except individuals and companies," she said. "I think (the
government of Guam) has an obligation (to provide funding for the
center). The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse has not
been able to provide residential services that we are providing."

The center's funding problems have been recurring.

And the financial situation of the center has not improved since last
year when Gov. Felix Camacho issued an executive order to transfer
$150,000 to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to
help resolve the financial crisis at the center.

Most of the center's funding originates from a $300,000 grant through
the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority every year.

But the center's operating costs are about $450,000 per year, so funds
dry out toward the end of every fiscal year, Bordallo said.

The center has accumulated a $300,000 deficit in the past five years,
she said.

However, Harmon said The Salvation Army's divisional headquarters in
Honolulu has insisted that no more indebtedness may be incurred and
the center will be permanently closed without written assurance of
funding by June 1.

Legislation

Help is making its way through the local lawmaking process, but it may
not be moving fast enough to save the center.

Bill 41 would appropriate $600,000 from the Healthy Futures Fund to
Mental Health, which will fund local nonprofit organizations that
provide drug and alcohol detoxification, rehabilitation and prevention
services.

While hoping that Bill 41, introduced by Sen. Benjamin Cruz, D-Piti,
will be approved by lawmakers, Harmon said even if the bill is passed,
he was told that the money will not be available until next fiscal
year at the earliest.

"In the meantime, we are hoping the local government will come through
again with the money we need for the remainder of this year," Harmon
said.

While appreciating the generous support from the private sector and
individuals who donated money, Bordallo said the government has to
provide the basic funding because the recovery center bears a crucial
task in the community. 
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