Rotary Program: 5/31/06

Program Chairperson: Thelma Vinson

Speaker: Chris Todd, CARES Ministries - Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program

Chris Todd addressed the great scourge of drug and alcohol addiction that grips our country and especially here in Eastern Kentucky. He gave his personal testimony of an addiction and recovery through a 10 -week Christian discipleship program at Hebron Colony Ministries in Boone, North Carolina. To make a difference in the lives of others like himself, he felt called to establish a ministry with a program called CARES, Inc. It is an acrostic that stands for Christ, Accountability, Responsibility, Effort, and Support. It is a non-denominational ministry dedicated to helping individuals and their families suffering from the effects of alcoholism and drug addiction. In addition to the Christ-centered counseling services for the addict or alcoholic, Chris stressed that it is essential to reach the whole family in order to deal with the co-dependency and enablement that often contributes to the problem. It is paramount, however, that the person identifies the root problem, and that is the pain that underlies the addiction. Although the basic problem is sin, and that is something we all struggle with, he says that there is a secular approach that can be used as well. There are many churches, volunteers, and staff members in the twelve states where these services are available, but he is always recruiting more who would like to help. The ministry gets referrals from the courts, physicians, social services, and concerned family members who want to intervene before the result becomes a tragedy. He also has many facilities that he can refer to addicts and their families that offer recovery programs where the person would be housed from two to six months of intensive therapy. After their release, the addict is given a support system of churches and mentors to help them stay clean. Chris says that the chances for full recovery is better than 50% if the addict can stay clean for six months or longer. To validate his program, he made available many letters of recommendation from Drug Court Judges and testimonials from those who have gone through the program. If anyone would like to get more information, to offer financial support, or to avail themselves of the services of CARES, Inc., you can call 606-432-6767. The offices are located on 147 Main Street in Pikeville, Ky. Thank you, Chris for the very timely and informative program, today. - JMC