Friday, May 28, 2004

Drug summit set Drug abuse has its own set of problems. So does mental illness. But when a person has both, the problems can get worse and even create new ones. More than 250 Fulton County treatment providers, advocates, consumers and family members will meet June 10, 2004 at the “Co-Occurring Disorders Summit” to discuss how to deal with these dual challenges. Supportive housing is the focus of this fourth annual event, which will be held 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street, Atlanta. Anyone can attend. Space is limited, so register in advance. The cost is $15. For more information, call Fulton County at 404-730-0226, or go to www.myfultoncountyga.us and look under “Meetings” on the home page. William C. Moyers, son of the well-known journalist, will keynote his addiction and recovery. Fulton County District 5 Commissioner Emma I. Darnell will bring greetings. Workshops will also address funding, public policy, homelessness transitioning, stress relief, and medication strategies. Presentations will be by representatives from key agencies such as the HUD Interagency Council on Homelessness, Habitat for Humanity, Georgia Council on Substance Abuse, and Housing Authority of Fulton County. The Summit is hosted by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Department of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases, and co-sponsored by the Department of Human Services and Eli Lily & Company. Local nonprofit mental health and addiction treatment agencies are also sponsors. A nationally recognized advocate, Moyers is vice president of External Affairs for the Minnesota-based Hazelden Foundation, a leader in addiction care. Seven million to 10 million persons in the U.S. have been diagnosed as suffering from at least one mental disorder in addition to being alcohol or drug dependent, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Ê ÊÊÊÊÊÊ