Recovery Works!
The mission of Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services is to ensure that quality alcohol and other drug intervention and treatment, as well as alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention programs are provided for citizens in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Chester County Department of  Drug and Alcohol Services Recognizes  April as
  Alcohol Awareness Month!
  
Each year, April is recognized as Alcohol Awareness Month, founded and sponsored by National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (NCADD) in 1987.

The main purpose of recognizing Alcohol Awareness Month is to diminish the stigma surrounding alcoholism in order for those struggling to seek help. To download marketing materials and obtain more information, Click Here!

It is estimated that around 35,000 people in Chester County suffer from some sort of Substance Use Disorder (SUD). A Substance Use Disorder occurs when a person uses a substance such as alcohol or another drug, and the use results in physical, behavioral, or social problems at school, work or home. If you are concerned about yourself, or a loved one, it is important to seek help. To access treatment in Chester County, please refer to the information below.

If you have insurance, including Medicaid, please call the number listed on the back of your insurance card to get information on how to access drug and alcohol services.

If you do not have insurance, please call one of the following agencies which is closest to you, for help:
  • Gaudenzia Coatesville (Coatesville) - 610-383-9600 
  • Mirmont Outpatient (Exton) - 484-565-1130
  • Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems (Kennett Square) - 610-388-9225
  • Creative Health Services (Phoenixville) - 610-933-1223
  • Gaudenzia West Chester (West Chester) - 610-429-1414  

If you have further questions, or need additional resources, please log onto the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services website . You can also call the Chester County Information and Referral line at: 866-286-3767.

Permanent Medication Collection Boxes Interactive Map!


Chester County currently has 23 permanent medication collection boxes throughout the county. For more information, to see locations, or obtain directions to each site




Permanent Medication Collection boxes are a project of the Chester County District Attorney's Office Thomas P. Hogan, Chester County District Attorney with the support of the following State agencies: Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Chester County Commissioners, District Attorney, and Drug and Alcohol Services.

*Medication Collection Box locations in and around Coatesville are a result of a community partnership between Pennsylvania American Water the Brandywine Health Foundation, Coatesville Youth Initiative and the Police Chiefs of the City of Coatesville, Caln Township, West Caln Township, West Brandywine Township and Valley Township.

**Medication Collection Box locations in Tredyffrin Township were provided by ARCH (Area Residents Caring and Helping) through a partnership with the Tredyffrin Community and Police Association.  Tredyffrin Township was one of the first collection boxes in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Recovery Works! Recovery Corner

I never thought I would become addicted….I grew up right in this community with a great family, and ample opportunity to succeed in life. I had all the tools and support to make something of myself. Little did I know, I would travel down a dark path to drug and alcohol addiction. As a teenager, I started with simple experimentation that eventually progressed to a full blown daily habit. Once fully addicted, I found it was almost impossible to stop on my own. I found myself at the age of 22 homeless and penniless due to a horrific heroin addiction.

Luckily, I was introduced to a wonderful way of life called recovery! I entered into a detox/residential program. From there, I realized I was not ready to go home, so I took an option to extend my care out of state. After doing another 30 days of treatment, I had  a strong desire to do whatever it takes to change my life! I agreed to do long term sober living where I was taught principles that revolutionized my outlook and attitude.

Flash forward, and I have been in recovery for almost 7 years now. Not every day is easy, but I  found out that I can surmount any obstacle with my new belief and support system. My family and friends re-entered my life, and I was even able to purchase a home! I now work in the addiction field and I am able to give back what was so freely given to me. If anyone out there is struggling don’t hesitate to reach out. Recovery is hard, but not harder than maintaining an addiction!  

Brandt N., Community Outreach Coordinator

610-314-9984; bnorton@bwrnetwork.com

Old or Expired? 
Left over from a surgery?
Get rid of it!

Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, April 29, 2017

Chester County’s Department of Drug & Alcohol Services is raising community awareness for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day taking place on Saturday, April 29, 2017.

Organized nationwide by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), National Prescription Drug Take Back Day provides local sites for safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while educating the public about the potential for abuse of medications.   

From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29th, prescription drug disposal sites will be set up throughout Chester County, in locations including Avondale, Berwyn, Coatesville, Devon, Downingtown, Kennett Square, Malvern, Phoenixville and West Grove. To find a location near you, click here.

In addition to the temporary prescription drug drop boxes hosted by the DEA, there are 23 permanent prescription drug drop boxes located throughout the county. To see the locations, and get driving directions, click here.

Women with Children
Pre-Conference Seminar

On Wednesday, March 29th Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services Deputy Director, Jamie Johnson, Case Manager, Megan Dunn, and Prevention Specialist, Kate Genthert joined Gaudenzia Inc. and women in recovery from Chester County for the Women with Children Pre-Conference Seminar, which was a partnership between Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services and Gaudenzia Inc.

The keynote speaker, Sharon D. Wise,  MHS, CPS , Trauma Expert and Lead Consultant for The Gregory Project of Washington, D.C.  presented a powerful presentation on trauma, recovery and resiliency. Sharon empowered the women to stay strong through their journey while supporting each other. The pictures to the left display a "repurposed" pillowcase which Sharon designed, saying "anything can be repurposed to have meaning".

In addition to the powerful  presentation by Sharon D. Wise, Prevention Supervisors from Gaudenzia Inc., Karen L. Plowman, M.Ed and Wendy Bridal, BA engaged the women in two interactive workshops, which were "Impact of Addiction on Children" and "Healthy Beginnings for Families".
Generation Found Screening was a Success!
On March 9th, Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services hosted a free screening of the documentary Generation Found at the Regal Downingtown Theater. A combination of over 60 community members and professionals attended the screening! 

From the creators of Anonymous People comes Generation Found, a powerful documentary which details the journey of a recovery high school in Houston, Texas. A recovery high school is a high school in which students in recovery from a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) can attend. For more information about Generation Found, log onto Gathr Films Here.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?
April 2017
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Click here  for learning opportunities and community awareness events during the month of April in the Drug and Alcohol field and the Mental Health field.

Events are located across several counties in our area!

Chester County Commissioners:
Michelle Kichline
Kathi Cozzone
Terence Farrell

Vincent H. Brown, Executive Director
Department of Drug and Alcohol Services