Michael Abraham, director of Chemical Dependency Center at the Warren-Yazoo Mental Health Service, shows the eating area at the Chemical Dependency Center on Wisconsin Avenue as the center held an open house Wednesday. (Meredith Spencer The Vicksburg Post)

[10/21/04]The Chemical Dependency Center at the Warren-Yazoo Mental Health Service has opened a new addition officials there wish no one would ever need to use.

But, given the reality of substance abuse in society today, the waiting list for treatment is usually a couple of weeks.

On the positive side, those who need either outpatient or inpatient treatment will get it at a place that is one of the nicest in the state, said director Michael Abraham.

The center held an open house Wednesday morning to show off its new kitchen, meeting room, offices, residential rooms and pavilion. The entire complex, first built in 1994 to replace a crumbling facility on Belmont Street, received a new coat of paint and new equipment. Overall, 4,000 square feet was added to the Wisconsin Avenue facility.

The center’s $1 million budget is funded primarily through federal grants administered by the state Department of Mental Health. The center also gets money from a statewide 3 percent tax on liquor and wine and some money from the county government.

About half of the center’s patients are self-referred. The rest of the patients come from hospital, mental health center and court-ordered referrals. Fees for the monthlong residential treatment, which is limited to 21 patients, or the 15-week outpatient treatment vary according to income. A patient with no income pays $400 for the monthlong program.

“You can’t go anywhere and spend a month for $400,” Abraham said.

“Based on the services people get here, it’s a good deal,” said Charles Selmon, president of the Warren County Board of Supervisors.

Demand is high, with the center receiving 10 to 20 calls a day asking for treatment. The center treated 190 patients in 2003 with 160 successfully completing the treatment.

Abraham said the new layout is an improvement. It allows for greater privacy and space for the residents. Also, before the addition, the main meeting room was in a central area of the center.

“In order to get to any of our units, you had to come through here,” Abraham said while standing in the old meeting room. Interruptions were a problem, he said, but no longer. The new meeting room is tucked into the side of the center.

Among the improvements were several new televisions. The center previously had only one.

“TV is an earned privilege,” Abraham said. Nevertheless, having only one set caused several disputes among the residents, especially during the weekends, he said.