Crossroads, a substance abuse treatment center for women, was established to give southern West Virginia “a safe and enriching environment free from drugs, alcohol, and violence where mutual support will be a key to recovery” according to the center’s mission statement.
“The center has been a success in the last year and we can only anticipate what the next years will hold,” said Amy Turner, executive director of STOP.
In its first year of existence, Crossroads has seen the graduation of eight women from the program. Many of the graduates sought to further their education during their time at Crossroads. One graduate completed the training to become an emergency medical technician, two graduates completed their GEDs, and two more plan to attend college in the fall. One graduate that is nearing completion of the program will stay on at the center as an employee to give first hand knowledge, experience, and support to the women trying to make their lives better.
Turner was very proud of the soon-to-be-graduate whose name was not to keep confidentiality.
“We provide training by STOP and other training external to STOP so our graduates will be well equipped to help other women,” said Turner.
The recovery facet of the coalition and the center is an integral part in dealing with substance abuse in our area, according to Turner.
“STOP feels that the combination of early intervention, prevention and recovery makes us more effective in addressing substance abuse in southwestern West Virginia. If recovery was not addressed, we would lose a very important aspect in our fight against substance abuse.”
Since the start of the center, the Gilbert area has added two additional substance abuse support group meetings to better serve the area. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings are held Friday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the center while Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are held every Monday evening at 7 p.m.
The STOP Coalition and the Crossroads Recovery Center are made possible through grant money and donations. Turner said the Mingo County Commission and Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Michael Thornsbury have both been helpful in supporting the facility’s mission. Turner went on to thank Katrina Blankenship, the senior residential worker at Crossroads and project director of STOP, Laura Fox.
The recovery center offers various referral services as well. They include: alcohol and drug counseling, mental health counseling as well as financial and spiritual counseling.
Crossroads also provides other referral services outside of counseling: GED preparation, employment opportunities, job readiness, life skills, domestic violence education and support groups, parenting classes, and wellness programs. The center works with various organizations like law enforcement, social services organizations and churches.
Before admittance into the program, Crossroads has certain criteria that must be met. The requirements are as follows:
∙ Must be female and age 18 or older.
∙ Must be clean and sober for a minimum of 7 to 10 days.
∙ Completed an inpatient or outpatient program recently.
∙ Agree to stay in the residence for at least 90 days.
∙ Agree to sign releases of information for medical, legal, and mental health histories
∙ Ability to pass a drug and alcohol test and agree to random drug screen testing.
∙ Must attend a minimum of five in-house or AA/NA meetings per week.
∙ Have an ability to maintain self care and participate in job functions for the maintenance of the facility, i.e., cooking and general cleaning.
∙ If able-bodied, must work at least part-time, be enrolled in school full time, or a combination of both.
∙ Must contribute at least 30 percent of monthly income toward service plan.
∙ Commit to total abstinence from drugs and alcohol.
∙ Criminal records may be reviewed on a case by case basis and could result in being denied admission.
∙ Have an ability to use the program as a transition to independent living.
∙ Respect the rights, views, and property of other residents and get along with others.
Priority is given to women from Mingo, Logan, Wyoming, McDowell, Boone, and Lincoln counties.
More information about STOP and the Crossroads Recovery Center can be found at or by calling (304) 664-3916.
Post a Comment
