Rapid City and Pennington County, South Dakota - City/County Alcohol and Drug Programs History

City/County Alcohol and Drug Programs - Birth of Detox

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Brenda Boetel, Director
City/County Alcohol and Drug Programs
725 N. LaCrosse, Suite 300
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: (605) 394-6128
Fax: (605) 394-6890
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Detox Program Links

The Birth of Detox

From 1973 to 1975, the City Care Center, located on the lower level of a 2-story house on the corner of Denver and Silver St., provided detoxification services under the direction of the Rapid City Police Department. It was the first facility to provide such services for the community. The Center had approx. 15 beds and a soup kitchen that served food once a day, similar to the Corner Stone Mission we know today. Glenn Rodriquez was an EMT/Supervisor at that time. He states, "Even though we only had 15 beds, we would house at times approx. 38 people. We had people all over the place. The cops would bring in the majority of the population to sober up."

On June 1, 1975, the City Care Center evolved into the West River Alcoholism Services, Inc. located at 3685 Sturgis Road governed by the Community Action Program, which was a delegate agency of the Penn. Co. Board of Commissioners. The director at that time was Patty Watts. The program was chosen in 1976 by the National Association of Counties as a national model for non-hospital detoxification. The facility had approx. 33 Detox beds. During this time, the agency faced its biggest opposition from the Indian community/programming and the community as a whole.

While the program served primarily Pennington County residents, referrals from other areas were accepted with a contract for service. The program was accredited by the South Dakota Division of Alcoholism as an Information and Referral Center and as a Primary Receiving Center. Accreditation also came from the South Dakota Division of Drugs and Substances Control. Funding sources included the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), South Dakota Dept. of Health - Division of Alcoholism & Division of Drugs & Substances Control, City of Rapid City, Pennington County, client fees and donations.

Services for all age groups and types of chemical dependency (both inpatient and outpatient) were provided: Outpatient Counseling (separate or follow-up), Inpatient Counseling (individual or group), Diagnosis and Evaluation (residential or outpatient), Social Setting Detoxification Consultation (to other agencies and persons), Information and Referral (as requested), Housing (for clients with treatment elsewhere), Alternative Sentence Program (Court Order), Training (under VA, CETA, Voc-Rehab., WIN, etc.), Community Education/Prevention Program and Employee Assistance Program (for area firms). Treatment services were based on the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous and provided by trained, qualified EMT staff.

In 1981, West River Alcoholism Services, Inc. moved to 924 E. St. Patrick Street to a facility with 44 beds. Employee James Menard states at that time programming such as the DWI program, the Adolescent Treatment Program and Parent Power were very strong, active programs in the community, which led to the agency merging with Rapid City Regional East. In 1986, Rapid City Regional East wanted to close Detox because of the lack of profit it was generating. The City and County opposed the closing of Detox so the County chose to take it over. This is how the detoxification services became a branch of the Pennington County Sheriffs Dept. with De Glasgow as the acting director. De Glasgow was the director from 1987 to 1989.

In 1988, West River Services, Inc. moved to 725 N. Lacrosse and became known as City/County Receiving and Referral Center. The facility expanded to with both Detox and residential services. In 1989, Doug Austin became the director of the facility. Since that time, many programs have been added and the facility is now known as City/County Alcohol & Drug Programs. At that time, there were only two counselors, Jim Menard and Glen Rodriguez. One Administrative Secretary, Deb Jensen-Hammer, in addition, 6 Detox Technicians. Doug started the Assessment Program with the court system. He got a contract with the courts to do all the Drug and Alcohol Evaluations for the courts.

In 1990, he started a third Offence DUI Program. These clients attended treatment for up to 1 year. This program ended in 1991 and was replaced by the Jail Treatment Program.

In 1991, he wrote a grant to the Attorney General's Office for a Jail Treatment Program at the Pennington County Jail. This program lasted about 3 ½ years.

In 1993, Detox started an Adolescent Treatment Program which ran until the late 1990's.

In 1994, Detox started Continued Care Groups.

In 1995, Detox started Evening Treatment Program.

In 1996 we began the Pregnant Women's Program. This program ran for about 1 year, and then we turned it over to Behavior Management Systems, which is now called Full Circle.

In 1999, All women's treatment program.

In 2001, we moved up stairs. In addition, closed the courthouse office. In addition, started a women's Meth Program.

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City/County Alcohol and Drug Programs - Birth of Detox

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The Birth of Detox