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Recovery in the News
Detroit area pastors offer free recovery programs for drug addicts
Oralandar Brand-Williams
The Detroit News
April 6, 2009
Detroit --A group of Detroit area pastors representing more than 40 churches wants to help put Detroiters dealing with drug addiction on the path to recovery.
"You can go to treatment right there," said Calvin Trent, the director of the city health department and a sponsor of a four-day series of workshops and church services aimed at curbing addiction.
"We will even take you to treatment."
The fourth annual Citywide Revival & Faith-Based Substance Abuse Conference will be 6-9 p.m. today through Thursday at Corinthian Baptist Church, 1725 Caniff, in Hamtramck. The program is co-sponsored by the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity Inc.
Treatment is free, and most of the programs are paid for through, federal, state and local funds, Trent said. More than 230 churches in the city, Hamtramck and Highland Park will take part in the program, with drug counselors and representatives from drug treatment centers available to enroll people.
The churches are filling a critical need, said the Rev. Joseph R. Jordan, a co-chairman of the program and member of the Baptist council.
"All of our churches have people who have been addicted," Jordan said. "I see this as part of the church ministry."
Trent sees the program as way to stem the intractable reach of drugs. Drug and alcohol abuse cost the city $400 million a year in crime, lost wages and police calls, he said.
"Seventy to 80 percent of the crime we experience in our community is because of drug addiction," said Trent, an expert on addiction.
Revivals and other faith-based initiatives, he said, are important in helping addicts beat their addictions.
"They help us by helping our clients renew their spiritual life."
Recovering addict Gloria McCastle said spirituality has been essential in kicking her habit.
"When I was in recovery I was going to church every day," said McCastle, 42, who said she has been clean since 2001. "You need to get out there and thank Jesus every day."
Following recovery, McCastle rekindled a relationship with her two adult children and has found a job. She said she could not see herself going back to using drugs after 19 years of addiction.
"My friends and I hung out to get high," she said. "It started not to be fun when people started getting killed." Now she helps others try to beat their addictions.
And, "I thank God every day."
bwilliams@detnews.com (313) 222-2027