Counseling center seeks county aid
Staff writer
A counseling service that opened in January asked county commissioners Tuesday for $12,000 to treat indigent county residents for drug and alcohol abuse but got $4,276, the amount remaining in a special alcohol tax fun.
Joy Waldbauer, of The Restoration Center in downtown Marion, told commissioners the have been covered by other Restoration Center offices.
The agency gets referrals from district court, and from agencies helping children who have gone into foster care. Restoration Center also treats people who come voluntarily.
The request was for the current year. Additional money may be requested in next year’s budget.
“If the court requests they get drug and alcohol treatment and they have to go out of county, chances are they won’t go,” Waldbauer said. “That puts a burden on the court and society.”
In answer to a question from commission chairman Kent Becker, Waldbauer said the center had made a commitment to remain in the county.
Commissioners said they would consult county counselor Brad Jantz about changing a previous decision that special alcohol tax funds go to Families and Communities Together to spend on substance abuse prevention programs.
Other Restoration Centers are located in Manhattan, Wichita, and Junction City.