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November 23, 2005 - The Union County / New Hope Counseling, Community Advisory Board held their first meeting on November 15, 2005 in the Grand Jury Room of the Union County Courthouse.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the role of the Advisory Board, to elect officers, to learn more about New Hope Counseling's treatment methods, and to learn about the effects of methamphetamine on rural communities.

The role of the Advisory Board is an informal one. The members will use their expertise and experience to offer advice to the Board of Directors. The Advisory Board serves as a vehicle for two way communication between the project and the local community in which it operates.

They will review long and short term goals, plan future fund-raising projects, provide guidance for setting objectives, and help create realistic time tables. The Advisory Board will hold quarterly meetings.

Members were selected because of the role they play in the community. Debra Parsons, from the Department of Labor, and Larry Culpepper, Director of Campus Operations at North Georgia Technical College , graciously accepted the responsibility to Co-Chair the Advisory Board. Peri Owenby, from Union County Mental Health, accepted the office of Secretary.

Other members of the Advisory Board include Union County Commissioner Lamar Paris (Ex-Officio Member), Judge David E. Barrett from the Enotah Judicial Circuit of Georgia, Mary Kimsey Acting Director, from Union County DFCS, County Nurse Manager Leslie Hughes, from Union County Health Department, Assistant County Attorney Diana Reif from the community at large, Reverend Eddie Herring from First United Methodist Church, County Liaison Consultant Elizabeth Patton (Ex-Officio Member), and Kim Waters-Rose (Ex-Officio Member) of New Hope Counseling.

The Advisory Board will work closely with the community to help see that the $1,500,000 in grant money is used wisely. (This is an informal board designed to give advice.)

Kim Waters-Rose is Project Coordinator. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with many years of experience in the treatment of cocaine and meth addiction. Waters-Rose presented a slide show to the Advisory Board. She introduced the Matrix Model, an outpatient treatment approach for individuals with cocaine and meth use disorders. The presentation covered many topics including an overview of meth, it's effects on the central nervous system, and treatment options.

The goal of the program is to treat 300 people in the next three years. Waters-Rose says, "This grant money is for Union County , but if other folks are desperate for treatment, we won't turn them away." Patients will come from all walks of life. Many will be court ordered. Some will come from hospitals and others will be walk-ins.

Waters-Rose added, "A major part of overcoming meth addiction is changing playgrounds and playmates." Treatment will include relapse prevention, motivational interviewing, psychological education, family therapy, and a twelve-step program involvement period. There will be group sessions, individual sessions, and continuing care. Patients will be assisted in vocational training, and will receive medical attention. Waters-Rose talked about confidentiality issues. "Identity of the clients must not be disclosed under any circumstances."

The facility will be located in a section of the old nursing home on Hospital Street (which is currently undergoing complete renovation) in Blairsville , Ga. The treatment program is scheduled to begin on December 15, 2005.