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Looking for Help?

How to kick heroin, avoid it
or use it as safely as possible

By Michael Mechanic

Alto Counseling
271 Water St., SC, 423-2003; 11 Alexander St., Wat., 688-8100

Services: Prevention; confidential outpatient counseling for adults having problems with drugs or alcohol; individual, group or family counseling; staff includes psychologists and licensed drug abuse counselors, as well as people in recovery. Cost: Sliding scale from $1-$47 per visit.

The Camp
3192 Glen Canyon Road, Scotts Valley, 800/924-2879

Services: 30-day residential medical detox for adolescents and adults; rehabilitation services include day treatment (eight hours daily, six days per week for up to 30 days), outpatient rehabilitation for adolescents (three evenings per week for up to eight weeks). Cost: Free assessment; juveniles $296 per day (up to 30 days), $232 per day for adults; health insurance covers 50 to 100 percent; Camp sponsors one juvenile per month based on need and necessity; may negotiate lower price for needy families.

Janus Treatment Center
200 7th Ave., SC, 462-1060

Services: Eight-day residential detox for adults, no medications, 28-day residential rehabilitation program, behavioral treatment and counseling. Cost: Sliding scale.

Needle Exchange
427-4557

Services: HIV prevention; distributes clean disposable syringes, cottons, bleach, condoms, and food; sharps box for disposal of used hypodermics; home delivery in some cases and drop-in exchange Monday and Thursday from 7 to 9pm in the parking lot of 703 Pacific Ave., SC; advice on how to inject properly and hygienically and on how to avoid overdose; non-judgmental environment for adult and juvenile users; treatment referral for users who want to quit. Cost: Free

New Life Community Services
707 Fair Avenue, SC, 427-1007

Services: Medically monitored social-model addictions treatment program for adults but no medical detox; individual, peer and group counseling; six-month residential rehab program; non-residential outreach support program. Cost: Sliding scale--$18 to $43 per day.

Phoenix Services
406 Main St. #403, Watsonville, 722-5914

Services for Adults: Outpatient drug and alcohol counseling for adults; "Hermanas" 90-day residential recovery for Latina women with drug and alcohol problems includes social recovery model, individual and group counseling. Services for Youth: After-school drug and alcohol prevention program at three Watsonville Schools and at the Gene Hoularis and Waldo Rodriguez Youth Center focusing on self-esteem and Latino culture, includes tutoring, arts crafts, recreation, field trips. Cost: Free youth program, sliding scale for adults.

SC County Community Partnership Project
809 Bay Ave #8, Capitola, 479-5324

Services: Outreach and prevention for youth; drug- and alcohol-free youth drop-in Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 5pm at Louden Nelson Center; youth activities including food, arts, mural projects, field trips, afterschool activities. Cost: Free

SC County Health Services Alcohol and Drug Program
454-4050

Services: Provides referrals to county-contracted drug and alcohol treatment programs. Cost: Free.

Si Se Puede
161 Miles St., Watsonville, 761-5422

Services: Nine- to 12-month residential drug and alcohol treatment for county residents; geared toward Latino men (including many 18-year-olds); residential three- to six-month transition into community; domestic violence seminars and gang intervention (about 25 percent of residents have gang issues); individual, group and family counseling; bilingual. Cost: Sliding scale--free to $50 per month; $200 intake fee can be waived).

Sunflower House
125 Rigg Street, SC, 423-3890

Services: Long-term residential treatment (12 months); highly structured environment includes group therapy and individual sessions, 12-step meetings and "re-entry" support. Cost: Sliding scale--$35 month to percentage of client's income.

Triad Methadone Clinic
1000A Emeline St., SC, 425-0112

Services: 21-day detox for adults and adolescents; ongoing maintenance program includes daily counseling and methadone. Cost: Detox costs $321.50; methadone maintenance is $300 per month, plus initial fee of $22; waiting list; Medi-Cal accepted.

UCSC Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention Program
Room 153, Student Health Center, UCSC, 459-4866

Services: Confidential drug and alcohol abuse prevention education, peer counseling and referral for UCSC students. Cost: Free to UCSC students.

Women's Crisis Support
1658 Soquel Dr., SC, 477-4244

Services: Individual and group counseling for adult women by appointment; licensed Marriage Family and Child counselors. Cost: Sliding scale--often free.

Youth Services
709 Mission St., SC, 425-0771; 10 Alexander St., Wat., 728-2226

Services: Outpatient counseling for drug and alcohol abuse for adolescents 12-17 years of age; day treatment (counseling and schooling three to four hours daily, five to seven days a week). Cost: Sliding scale--free to $70 an hour.

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