By Tonya Ewers Maikish
Integrated University Communications

(Oct. 8, 2009) While in town on official business this week, the Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske stopped by to visit the Denver EFFECT program, a successful collaborative, family-centered substance abuse treatment program that has been serving Denver families for two years. Kerlikowske’s visit to the Addiction Research and Treatment Services Outpatient Women’s Treatment Services clinic demonstrates his interest in learning about the Denver EFFECT program's approach to substance abuse treatment.

Drug use, the director stressed, is at critical proportions. According to a 2007 report, overdose deaths are now greater than gunshot wound deaths. Drugged driving is now higher than drunk driving and a recent report indicated 16 percent of operators of vehicles are under the influence of drugs.

Kerlikowske discussed shifts in National Drug Control Policy philosophy regarding the addiction. “This administration is looking at addiction as a disease, not a moral failure,” he said. “It’s much more complex and needs a balanced approach and strategy.”

In 2007, the Denver Department of Human Services was awarded a $3 million grant to develop family-focused treatment for local families dealing with the painful effects of addiction. The resulting program, Denver EFFECT (Entire Family-Focused Effective Comprehensive Treatment), was designed by the DDHS in partnership with the Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS) program in the department of Psychiatry at University of Colorado Denver’s School of Medicine and Arapahoe House.

“Participation of family members in substance abuse treatment has been found to result in higher rates of treatment completion, as well as better treatment outcomes, including a reduction in relapse,” said Eric Ennis, senior instructor of psychiatry and director of the ARTS Adult Outpatient Services program at UC Denver’s School of Medicine. “Through Denver EFFECT, family members can gain a clearer sense and understanding of addiction and recovery while feeling more in control of how they can help their loved one through this challenging time. Family members also get the much-needed professional support that is often missing from other approaches.”

All Denver EFFECT clients are in the DDHS Child Welfare system and are referred by caseworkers. Following referral, clients are provided services free of charge including substance abuse treatment, family-centered case management, individual/group/child/ family therapy, parenting skills and training, trauma services, childcare and more.

Denver EFFECT accepted its first family in March 2008 and is currently serving 40 families with a total of 84 children. The program shows that from enrollment in the program through discharge, there were/are significant positive changes in clients’ responses to family conflict, alcohol and drug use, and psychological/emotional problems. Improvements were/are typically observed at a 3-month follow-up post discharge from the program.

“Arapahoe House is proud to be part of this life-changing collaborative integrating the efforts of child welfare, substance abuse treatment, and court systems,” said David Murphy, CEO of Arapahoe House. “The holistic approach to treatment in Denver EFFECT empowers parents with substance abuse to combat their addiction with long-term solutions that strengthen their families and the community.”

For more information about the Denver EFFECT program, contact Program Director Lynne Ford at 720.944.1254.