Gateway Foundation was established in 1968 with a simple mission: to assist people, especially those without financial resources, from the maze of drug and alcohol addiction and to restore individuals to a level of functioning that allows each client to maintain sobriety with a sense of independence and dignity. In 1997, Gateway assumed operation of the Help Is Possible program in Dallas, Texas. In addition to the standard treatment regimen provided at this facility, substance abuse treatment is offered to HIV+ and “at risk” minority males through a five-year $2.5 million federal grant received from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)in October 2003.

Unlike the brevity of treatment episodes through other funding mechanisms, this grant from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) funds up to 90 days of residential treatment, which allows clients time to transition safely back into the community. While participating in substance abuse treatment, clients who are served by the grant receive additional services primarily related to addressing their medical, employment and housing needs. “Prior to entering treatment, most clients were not taking care of their health while active in their addiction,” states Felice Aboud, Case Manager for the project. “The grant allowed us to hire a nurse, Anne Delaney, to do nursing assessments and assist clients in accessing appropriate medical resources in the community.”

The population targeted by the grant is adult minority men who are HIV+ or who are “at risk” for contracting HIV through IV drug use and/or risky sexual behavior. While in treatment, these clients participate in grant-specific groups, such as health education, risk reduction, and sexual addiction groups. Felice states that some studies indicate 70% of people in recovery from alcohol and drugs have some form of sexual addiction. “We educate clients about sexual addiction, and if they want to incorporate that into their substance abuse recovery program, we provide transportation to SAA group, in addition to AA/NA groups.”

A significant benefit of the program is providing transportation to ensure clients make it to necessary appointments. For instance, the driver, Kevin Mickens, transports clients to medical appointments, job fairs, and community agencies, such as the Texas Workforce Commission, that assist with job search and housing. “Since our clients are usually homeless, they won’t fully benefit from treatment if they are preoccupied with being discharged back onto the streets,” Felice explains. “So prior to discharge, we assist clients in finding a job and securing housing.” Additionally, the grant funds up to six months of out-patient treatment.

On-going communication and client follow up is a vital component to the grant. Outreach worker Kemyla Westbrooks meets with clients at both six-month and one-year intervals after their initial enrollment into the program in order to follow up on their progress. Midway through Year Two of the project, current outcome study results for the project evidence abstinence rates of between 70% and 80% at the one-year follow up. As the project is early into Year Two of the award, the number of clients who have reached the one-year follow up point is still relatively small; however, these findings clearly suggest that comprehensive treatment has lasting effects on substance abuse and other unhealthy behavioral patterns. One of the grant’s first clients recently celebrated 14 months clean, sharing with staff that he has been abstinent from both drugs and sex. He has a stable job, recently bought a car, and returns to Help Is Possible to speak to groups to help motivate others and to be an example of what they can also accomplish by following Gateway’s program.

Cynthia Goodwin, LCSW
Clinical Care Manager