Merger
Expands Addiction and Mental Health Treatment
Services in Fox Valley Region
Released on
= October 11, 2004, 2:05 pm
Press Release
Author = Gateway Foundation/ Jennifer Amdur Spitz
Industry = Healthcare
Press Release
Summary = Mental health and addiction services expande by 10% in
one of Illinois' fastest growing communities. Merger reflects current
health trend of dual diagnosis of addiction and mental health illnesses.
Press Release
Body = MERGER EXPANDS ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SERVICES
IN FOX VALLEY REGION
Aurora, IL –
Due to a recent merger of the Gateway Foundation and Community
Counseling Center of the Fox Valley (CCCFV), drug treatment and
mental health services will expand by nearly 10 percent in one of
the fastest growing regions of the state. The combined organization
employs 75 professional treatment and support staff in five Aurora
locations, and serves over 900 addicted and mentally ill individuals
each year from Kane, Kendall, DuPage and DeKalb counties. "All
too often corporate mergers mean little more than numbers on a balance
sheet,"
explained Gateway CEO Michael Darcy. "Our merger with this
healthy and highly respected organization enables us to rapidly
create more opportunities for treatment that can affect lives."
The merger reflects a continuing health trend, as more and more
individuals are
diagnosed with co-occurring substance abuse and mental illness.
According to a recent study funded by the National Institute on
Drug Abuse (NIDA), 29 percent of substance abuse patients were diagnosed
with depression and 17 percent with anxiety disorders, compared
to only 3 percent and 2 percent, respectively, of patients in a
control group. By bringing together Gateway’s 36 years of
experience in substance abuse treatment with CCCFV’s 43 years
treating the mentally ill and addicted, the combined
organization anticipates the needs of a growing client population.
(more)
CCFV Executive Director Carole Arliskas commented, "Gateway’s
expertise in clinical programs, fund development and administration
will enable CCFV’s dedicated team to expanded services–
especially to the local Spanish-speaking population." Colin
P. Kelly, Gateway’s Board Chairman, agreed, noting that "Gateway
has responded to the national trend toward dual diagnosis of substance
abuse and mental health illnesses. Over 2500 of the 30,000 clients
Gateway treats each year participate in one of our dual-diagnosis
treatment programs in Illinois, Texas or Missouri."
The merger has gained strong local support. Says Aurora Mayor David
Stover, "I would like to congratulate both the Gateway and
CCCFV Boards and staff on their excellent decision. I am certain
that this partnership will be of great benefit to the City of Aurora
and its citizens." Retired Illinois State Representative and
long-time advocate for issues of mental health and substance abuse,
Suzanne Deuchler said, "From my service on the boards
of both Gateway and CCCFV, I know that treatment works. To invest
in our citizen’s recovery is good public policy. We not only
save lives, we save money by helping people to become productive
members of the community."
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