LCADA opens teen only center to stop drug use

By Marcus Atkinson

Hispanicohio.com editor

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Two years ago, the Lorain County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services organization had to close a vital part of their services when the funding of their adolescent services was not renewed.

However, Friday March 11, the Lorain Adolescent Center opened and once again, help is available for the age group that far too often is forgotten or ignored.

Thanks to the Adolescent Reinforcement Community Approach (ACRA) grant, LCADA now has a building dedicated to youths ranging from age 12 to 18.

“We primarily service 13 to 17 year olds, but we do have a 12 year old and 18 year old who is still in school,” said Lewis Johnson, a chemical dependency assistant who works with youth.  “Usually they come out of the courts, or from school, they are sent here for an assessment, we call those referrals.”

According to Lephenie Cloyd, a family therapist for LCADA, when a teenager enters the facility, he/she will go through an assessment and than a diagnosis.  If the adolescent is found to have a dependency are abuse of drugs or alcohol, a treatment plan is developed that includes about 14 sessions involving, how to develop communication skills, problem solving skills, employment skills, etc.  Once in the program, the adolescent stays in the program for about a year.

We have found that the longer they are in the program, the better the outcome,” said Cloyd.

LCADA received approximately 365,000 dollars from ACRA, providing the change for them to develop treatment plans specific to each adolescent.

We tailor the treatment plan to their needs,” said Cloyd.  “We go to their homes if we need to.”

Cloyd also said LCADA will also serve those who are not in Lorain or Elyria as well, such the cities of Amherst and Avon.  Services also go beyond the walls in the LCADA facility and into the cities and communities.

Cloyd said her research has suggested a lot of adolescent try drugs or alcohol for the first time when they are bored, for this reason LCADA connects the youths with agencies within the community, to keep them busy and productive.

There was also a ceremonial ribbon cutting March 11, amongst those in attendance was Dennis Will, Lorain County Prosecutor, who commended LCADA for finding a way to fund such an important program in a time when government funding is on the decline.

Lorain County Court of Common Please, Domestic Relation/Juvenile Division Judge Debra L. Boros also attended the event.

“Having two cities (Lorain and Elyria) lets [the families] get to where they need to be because they have trouble with the lack of transpiration,” said Judge Boros. “LCADA seems to find the need and meet that need in the communities.  [The teenagers] are going to get wonderful treatment here”

A representative for U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown gave a certificate of recognition to LCADA as did a representative from Congresswoman Betty Sutton.

LCADA also welcomes walk-ins from parents/care-givers that would like their adolescent to receive services, Medicaid and most forms of private insurance or accepted. If anyone would like more information on the services provided by LCADA you can visit www.lcada.com or call 440-246-0109 or visit their Teen Center at 305 W. 20^th St., Lorain OH 44052.