D&A commission moves to new office

Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Commission has a new home.

But for people needing services, the move isn’t too far away.

On Tuesday, the commission welcomed everyone during an open house at the new site, located right next door to its previous office. The new address is 430 S. Seventh St., Lehighton, the former First Commonwealth Credit Union building.

Jamie Drake, executive director for the drug and alcohol commission, said this was a “needed move.”

“We were doubled up,” she said. “The need for services in drug and alcohol increased, and last July we lost our other provider in Carbon County so now we are the only provider. We were in desperate need of additional space to provide services. This now allows for everyone to have their own offices again to provide the adequate services to the folks in Carbon County.”

Services remain the same, but the additional square footage now allows the staff to schedule more since they aren’t sharing offices, Drake said.

The office includes eight outpatient staff, four case managers, three recovery support specialists and a person who handles DUI services.

Drake pointed out one little touch the commission added to the front of the new building, a prayer that many clients learn during their treatment.

The commission thought putting the Serenity Prayer at the answer could serve as a reminder to all who enter the commission for services that help is available.

She added that their new message for the year is that funding for uninsured individuals is available at the commission.

“With most health conditions, if you don’t have a way to pay for it, you can’t get help, but we do have funding for those who don’t have insurance to get the help they need,” she said.

If anyone is in need of drug and alcohol services the commission has a 24-hour hotline, 866-824-3578. For more information about the commission, visit www.cmpda.cog.pa.us.