The Office of Alcohol and Drug Dependency is responsible for planning and programs for the treatment and rehabilitation of persons with alcohol and drug dependency problems. Referrals to substance abuse treatment for adolescents and adults are given on a routine basis. The staff also develops policies and programs for the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.

In addition to conducting regular program activities, staff fulfilled various leadership roles in the Increase Youth Resiliency Goal Team, the Manage Unhealthy Stress Goal Team and the Educational Leadership Committee of the Partnership for Community Health. Participating in this community health improvement project supports the work of the Office because it offers a more preventive, “upstream” approach to reducing the burden of substance use and abuse among the county’s young people and adults.

The Office represented the state of New Jersey through a program known as The Leadership Forum, sponsored by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Through the program, two meetings were held with substance abuse professionals including clinicians, prevention specialists, program directors and others to discuss policy to improve access to substance abuse treatment.

During 1999, the Office prepared for new state licensing requirements for Spring House, the county’s halfway house for women, and the Addiction Recovery Program, the substance abuse outpatient program. Both programs became part of the “Work First New Jersey – Substance Abuse Initiative” network of programs serving men and women who are making the step from welfare to work. In 1999, Spring House served nine women for a fee under this new federal/state initiative.

A full complement of treatment services was maintained for addicted adolescents and adults. Achievements included the following:

• 1,441 substance abuse clients received outpatient care through the county grant.
• 11,958 residential/halfway house bed-days were provided for substance abuse treatment.
• 234 in-patient bed-days were provided in a neighboring county (without charge to Bergen County residents) to those needing substance abuse treatment.
  

The Office’s direct service program includes the Employee Assistance Program, Spring House, Addiction Recovery Program, Municipal Alliance Program, and Intoxicated Driver Resource Center.