Substance abuse services in Largo share the responsibility for development, coordination and management of a comprehensive system of treatment and prevention services for drug addiction and abuse. Responsibilities encompass contracting for services with local providers, monitoring service contracts, evaluating and certifying service programs according to departmental standards for substance abuse programs, and developing models for a continuum of treatment and prevention services. They provide a wide array of training resources: they introduce and review basic steps of problem solving/help practice problem solving skills; help clients assess their level of risk for HIV infection, get motivated to change, identify potential barriers, set goals; assist clients in identifying safe decisions; assist clients with coping skills for dealing with thoughts about drugs; teach the practice of craving and urge control techniques; teach refusal skills to offers of drugs; monitor and support clients’ efforts to carry out support plans.

Water, Water Everywhere … Part II

By:  Lee Ann Rush                                                     The topic is water; specifically, its availability to the public in light of Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck’s recent megalomaniacal assertion that people should only have access to water if they pay for it.  In a world where water shortages are reason for concern as demand begins to exceed supply, Brabeck’s plan..