Rep. Jay Neal Attends
“Addiction Studies Program for the States”

ATLANTA – State Representative Jay Neal (R-LaFayette), recently attended the Addiction Studies Program for the States in Washington, DC. This three-day conference, held from September 15-17, 2011, focused on the topic of reforming and integrating addiction treatment and primary care.

“Substance abuse continues to be a very real problem and the costs associated with substance abuse are far reaching,” said Rep. Neal. “We must do a better job offering individuals impacted by addiction the services they need to be productive, social members of society.”

At a time when state budgets are tight, the conference was designed to help state lawmakers make funding decisions by examining public policy solutions for treating substance abuse and addiction. The conference accomplished this by allowing Rep. Neal and other state legislators to learn about the latest information on substance use and abuse.  While at the conference, Rep. Neal also examined information that will help him better make decisions about where and how the state should spend Georgians’ limited tax dollars to confront the statewide problem.

Rep. Neal took special interest in the national conference because of his career experience with substance abuse and addiction treatment and his proactive leadership of these issues at the Georgia State Capitol.  Rep. Neal serves as Campus Director for Penfield Christian Homes, Inc., a six week residential treatment program.  This real world experience in the field of addiction treatment allows Rep. Neal to bring a unique insight to these policy issues while serving in the General Assembly.  Additionally, Rep. Neal has helped sponsor Addiction Recovery Awareness Day at the State Capitol for the past three years and is currently the Co-Chairman of the Georgia Behavioral Health Legislative Caucus.

“As we learn more about the effect substance abuse has on the brain, we are better equipped to provide treatment that leads to positive outcomes for addicts,” said Rep. Neal. “Addiction is a health care issue.  Outcomes for patients with Substance Abuse related issues have very similar outcomes to those with diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.”

The conference was sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, National Families in Action, and the Treatment Research Institute.  For more information on the Addiction Studies Program for the States, please click here.

Representative Jay Neal represents the citizens of District 1, which includes portions of Catoosa and Walker counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2004, and currently serves as the Chairman of the State Institutions & Property Committee.  He also serves as a member of the Appropriations, Economic Development & Tourism, Insurance, and Public Safety & Homeland Security committees.

Letter of Support
Maxine Blackwell, Solicitor General, Baldwin County, Georgia

As Solicitor General for Baldwin County since 1992, my job has been to prosecute misdemeanor cases for our county of 45,000 residents.  Since a large university with some 5,000 plus students in attendance is located in our county, our court sees not only local misdemeanor offenders but many college students who are plagued with substance abuse problems. 

I have always been conscious of the severe problem our impoverished county faces as a result of the prevalence of substance abuse in our community.  The incidence of crack cocaine abuse in our housing authority residences is appalling and unfortunately, I found that these people, who most needed treatment, were least likely to be able to afford it.  Most had never been offered an opportunity to go to inpatient treatment and certainly had never had ‘court recommended’ treatment.   I desperately searched for treatment centers that would work with me in allowing indigents entry into treatment programs as well as those in the community who could afford to pay a reasonable amount for treatment (but were unable to pay the thousands of dollars required to attend the traditional ’28 day program’ at the private hospitals in the metro areas).

One of the greatest discoveries I made, as Solicitor General, was of Penfield Christian Home.  As I think back, I do not even remember who first told me about Penfield, but I certainly have tremendous gratitude for the information.  Since I sent our first court ordered defendant to treatment at Penfield in 1994, it has been my goal with any substance abuser to attempt to get them to Penfield’s program.  Penfield is a gift to our county.  I have often called it our ‘miracle from above’ as I have observed the countless offenders who I would have given little chance for recovery, return to our community clean, cleansed and completely changed.  There is no male treatment center that gives us the success that Penfield does.  Of the dozens of treatment centers I have used over the years, none has given us as much rehabilitative success as Penfield.  The men return to our community not only drug and alcohol free, but changed emotionally and spiritually such that families are restored and children are given fathers who no longer drink, drug, abuse mom, or neglect their responsibilities as men.  Penfield has helped countless families in our community to heal.

We are grateful to Penfield for not only the level of professionalism and effective treatment given to each participant, but also for the compassion and care that Penfield’s staff demonstrates each time we contact them with a ‘problem case.’  We have NEVER had an applicant that we have referred to Penfield rejected because they could not afford the very reasonable admission fee.  Rather, Penfield has always worked with our men to ensure that finances would not be an excuse for them not to enter treatment. 

My gratitude to Penfield is so deeply ingrained that I struggle to find the proper words to convey how indebted our county is to this program and how strong my desire to assist Penfield is.  I am committed to recovery and well versed in traditional Twelve Step programs, both outpatient and inpatient.  I have sent men and women to inpatient treatment for many years.  Penfield is always my first choice for men.  The personnel at Penfield are so committed to their work that I feel inadequate to describe the level of professionalism, compassion and care that every applicant receives from the moment of the first intake call with Penfield staff, until successful graduation from the program.  I would gladly stake my personal and professional reputation on this treatment center and the quality of services that are provided to those seeking recovery.  I would do anything in my power to ensure Penfield’s continued growth as I know that only through programs like Penfield do we, as a society, have any chance of effectively addressing the rampant problems we face with alcohol and drug addiction. 

I would like to urge continued and additional support for this amazing and effective program.  It is vitally important that addicts/alcoholics have an opportunity to experience Penfield and the gift that it offers all who enter its doors.  Baldwin County, in general, and the State Court in particular, will continue to support Penfield and urge anyone who will listen to please provide any and all support possible to this wonderful program.  I will always be available, personally and professionally, to support Penfield and do what I can to help the program, just as the program has always helped the countless hundreds who have entered its doors for the past two decades. 

I am also available by phone, letter or email to provide any information or to answer any questions that one might have about Penfield.  I simply pray that Penfield continue to thrive and grow so that more may know the miracles of recovery and so that families can utilize this remarkable program to heal the hurts inflicted by substance abuse and its evils.

Sincerely,

Maxine Blackwell
Solicitor General
Baldwin County, Georgia

Georgia Bar #061032

Letter from our Leader
Lem Clark, Executive Director

Penfield Christian Homes, Inc. has just completed an extensive five-year expansion program. With a growing need for more client beds and administrative space, the project began in 2004 with planning the Harmony Building. Completed in 2005, this 12,500 square foot building with a value of $1.5 million was built with donations of money, materials and volunteer labor from God's people in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and New York. Our bed-count was brought from 30 to 50, and ample administrative offices were built, along with a full-court gymnasium, giving our clients a place for much-needed exercise.

Upon completion of this new building, renovation of the original Herring Dormitory was begun in 2005. Built in 1988, it was updated with volunteer labor and donated materials at a cost of $75,000.

With the addition of 20 beds, there was an immediate need for expansion of the kitchen and dining hall, which also doubles as a classroom for the clients. This work was completed in November 2008.

The need for more beds continued to grow, and in 2006, Penfield Christian Homes leased a building in LaFayette, Georgia, beginning Penfield Christian Homes' North Campus. Renovations on this building were completed in 2007, and the first Penfield North client arrived in August of that year. This building, purchased in March 2008, at a cost of $550,000, has ample office space and 28 beds.

With the need for still more beds and with encouragement from God's people in South Georgia, renovation and construction was completed on our South Campus in Nashville, Georgia in December 2008. Clients began arriving in January 2009, and a Dedication and Open House were held on February 26. This building has 30 beds and ample administrative offices, at a cost of $600,000.

The Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation has given us grants of $200,000 for the North Campus purchase, $150,000 for the Main Campus Dining Hall/Kitchen renovation, and $150,000 for the South Campus. We are counting on God providing the remainder through churches, organizations and individuals. With support from the Georgia Baptist Convention, Penfield's operating revenue comes from these sources, as well as from client fees.

Because of God's grace in providing these expansions, Penfield Christian Homes' ministry has grown from helping 166 men in 1996 to serving 566 in 2008. The impact on these men and their families cannot be measured. To Him be all glory and praise! -Lem Clark