Hawaii rehab expert checks progress at HOPE Center

Law

Hawaii-based consultant Wayne Law, who is program services manager for Mental Health Kokua, has praised the progress of the treatment services at the Hinemlu O’hala Para Enteramenti Recovery Center of the Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation Program.

“This program is a first for the CNMI. It is through the vision and heartfelt commitment and leadership of Gov. [Ralph DLG] Torres that this tremendous program has been launched and is now in full swing. Much gratitude also goes to the Legislature for the appropriation of funds needed to fund the program,” Law said in a recent on-site visit to HOPE.

He also praised the Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation program for hiring competent staff who are working well with participants and residents in the group homes.

MHK, the oldest, private non-profit mental health organization in Hawaii providing housing, case management, homeless outreach, and psychiatry and counseling services for more than 1,600 people yearly, also provides guidance to the Commonwealth’s recovery center.

Law said the response from participants has been very encouraging, now that the doors of the center are open and receiving those who are engaged in recovery and reclaiming their lives from drug abuse and addiction.

“It is wonderful to see so much activity and life at the center and I’ve offered recommendations to further strengthen the program as it continues to grow and expand services to accommodate those in our community who are in need,” Law said.

According to Yvette R. Sablan, special assistant for Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, Law’s visit was a success. She credits Law for the initial opening and ongoing efforts of the recovery center. He provided training to SAR personnel, including clinical and programmatic oversight to the crisis counseling program using his experience in the Pacific region.

Sablan said that Law was impressed with the progress made at the HOPE center since his last visit six months ago, from the full implementation of the Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program for members of the community seeking help, and those referred from the Drug Court and the Community Guidance Center to the expansion of the HOPE 24-hour Transitional Residential Group Home beds.

“We are very pleased with his assistance and we all look toward strengthening our services and building our capacity,” Sablan said.

To achieve this, she said, SAR has worked with stakeholders to implement the treatment support and life-skill activities necessary to prepare the participants for a positive transition as they reintegrate into the community and focus their efforts on their drug-free journey.

Torres said the center’s collaboration with regional mental health partners is critical to providing services based on best practices.

“The HOPE center is continuing to grow and we’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the community and our healthcare partners. Mr. Law has provided us valuable insight with his over 40 years of experience in mental health services. His knowledge of integrated treatment and intervention has enabled our center to address our community needs in terms of substance abuse, crises counseling, case management, and continuity of care. We are grateful for his oversight and his unwavering dedication to mental healthcare and Pacific communities. I am very pleased to know that there is much more progress ahead for the recovery center and stand by my commitment to all those recovering in our community,” Torres said.

The HOPE Recovery Center employs intensive outpatient treatment, individual and group counseling, relapse prevention, treatment of co-occurring disorders, family therapy and education, supportive services, medication assisted treatment with aftercare support from the Community Guidance Center.

HOPE services are free and the center is staffed 24 hours a day with participants from the general public.

For more information or help, call 323-7277/78. (PR)