Rescue Mission in Pueblo to Introduce Addiction Recovery Program

PUEBLO, Colo. - April 17, 2018 - PRLog -- The local rescue mission hopes to open an 18-month residential addiction recovery program this year. The Pueblo Rescue Mission's patients are currently being referred to the New Life Program at the Springs Rescue Mission in Colorado Springs while it transfers to a new location.

The mission will offer the program alongside its services to support the homeless population.

According to President and CEO Jackie Jaramillo the Springs Rescue Mission purchased the rescue mission in Pueblo to save it from bankruptcy.

"We stepped in to keep the doors open," she said. "This is a complete startup operation. There was nothing here in the program we could salvage because it had deteriorated to a point where the programming didn't meet any of our standards in terms of servicing people with dignity."

At the moment, Jaramillo is working with the city council to secure a new location for the rescue mission, In the meantime, patients needing addiction treatment are referred to the Springs Rescue Mission's program.

Director of Addiction and Recovery Joel Siebersma runs the Springs Rescue Mission's Men's New Life Program. He believes opening a similar program, which would help men and women, in Pueblo would greatly benefit the area.

"It's a fairly well known fact that every dollar sent toward rehabilitation and recovery saves the community about $7or $8 in law enforcement and emergency services," he said. "Right off the bat, there's a financial gain for investing in rehab and recovery."

Siebersma explained that patients in a program are likelier to become reintegrated into society.

"While there are some short-term capital expenses to be made and some start-up costs," he continued. "Over the long term, I think the evidence is overwhelming in support."

He added that seeing families restored after a member has gone through drug detox is a wonderful thing.

"We can keep families together," he said. "We can keep parents looking after children. We can keep people from depending on other emergency services. As services continue, the benefits just continue to expand more and more."

Jaramillo said the Pueblo Rescue Mission's program would be based on the one in Colorado Springs.

Siebersma said that when individuals seek help, either on their own or through the El Paso County Justice or Parole Systems, case managers discuss with them their best treatment options.

As a Christian-based program, it takes a holistic approach to addiction treatment. In addition to drug alcohol rehab, it helps patients develop job skills and form bonds with the local community.

A typical day in the program includes classes (Bible study, relapse prevention) and workshops to build educational and job skills, Siebersma explained. In the evenings, these are supplemented with devotional time and 12-step programs.

The Pueblo location is currently trying to raise $400,000 for its new location, Jaramillo said. She is currently applying for government and foundation grants to help fund its future programs.

"Providing restoration and hope again — to individuals, families and communities — is very important to us," Siebersma concluded.

https://www.drugaddictionnow.com/2018/04/16/drug-addictio...