The High Cost of Addiction

The strain on all community resources caused by drug and alcohol abuse is clearly documented. The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) study shows that an estimated $791 million was spent during 2000 in Texas alone on substance abuse related medical care. It also documents that hospital stays for other illnesses, such as fractures, are longer for those with co-occurring addictions than those without addiction problems. (TCADA, “Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Texas – 2000”).

The loss to the economy through lack of worker productivity is staggering. It is estimated that, within the non-institutionalized adult population of Texas, productivity loss exceeded $11.2 billon in 2000 alone. And, almost three quarters of losses were attributed to men, while 60% of those men were in the 25 – 44 age group (ibid). This is the exact population that ARM serves. By adding the cost of incarceration due to substance abuse—a staggering 48% of the total expenditure of the criminal justices system in Texas—or $3.62 billion (ibid), it becomes clear why it is economically sound for resources to be directed towards programs such as ARM that are offering an alternative to unemployment or prison to men.

ARM is a financially stable program committed to recovery. When ARM was first implemented in 1989, there was little attention paid to the need in the Southern Oak Cliff area of Dallas. Oak Cliff has one of the smallest municipal budgets, more low-income housing, and more citizens living below the poverty line than other districts of Dallas. Historically, Oak Cliff has had a reputation as the stepchild of Dallas -- sometimes ignored by the rest of the city, receiving less infrastructure improvements and slower business growth. Add the high crime rate, visible drug use and dealing, and this area of Oak Cliff has become “The Bottom.”

ARM is not only bringing men and women back from addiction; it is providing change for the entire community. These individuals, many of whom have criminal records, are joining the church, their families, and the community. As peer mentors to other drug and alcohol abusers, they are living proof within their community that the cycle of drugs and crime can be broken.

ARM and WARM do not discriminate in their program admission practices. Participants from the Dallas-Fort-Worth metroplex include men and women, all ethnic and racial groups, varied socio-economic backgrounds, and are generally aged between 19-55 years. The program additionally has served people from other regions of the United States who believed this community-based program would aid in their recovery.

Partners in Success

From the beginning of services in 1989, ARM has strived to connect and communicate with local shelters and other service providers. Some of these partners are:

• Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation-- psychological testing, and licensed counseling;
• Dallas Food Bank-- opportunity for community service as well as supplies for the program;
• Parkland Mobile Medical Unit-- provides onsite physical exams, diagnostics/testing, medication disbursement and doctor referrals and appointments all at no cost to the clients.

ARM receives clients referred from the Dallas County Criminal District Courts, area hospitals, local churches and Restoration Outreach of Dallas Ministry (ROD). www.rodministries.org Six slots in ARM are made available for ROD clients; all are recent prison releasees. Other referrals are from various homeless shelters and simply by word of mouth from successful, previous clients. ARM clients also attend area AA/NA meetings.

In 2003, ARM became a part of the Celebrate Recovery mission. By participating in this ministry, ARM is provided with a network of local and national support as well as teaching materials to not only arm clients with the tools of recovery, but also to produce lay preachers, if they so desire.

ARM partnered with World Vision  in 2004 to provide much needed daily supplies, such as food and household goods for area citizens. By clients working to bag and distribute these items, they receive personal goods from World Vision. Much of the grocery supplies are received through the Food Share Ministry of Golden Gate Church. Clients work packaging food for needy families as community service and ARM receives in-kind donations for the clients through the Food Share Ministry.

Responding to the Challenge

Because of the increase in need and the commitment of ARM to serve all who seek help, additional funding sources are sought. ARM aims to be a financially self-supporting ministry so Golden Gate Church can pursue other needed ministries within the Oak Cliff area, while remaining the oversight organization for ARM. With additional financial support, ARM will be able to access services from other skilled professionals as needed. ARM is an important component of the vision of Golden Gate Baptist Church. Through ARM, men and women find their way back to being productive members of society, participating in volunteerism to help others, support local businesses and take care of their families.

ARMs annual budget is a half-million dollars for current needs. With this need met from outside sources, the church congregation can continue to grow and expand or add outreach ministries to serve the historic South Oak Cliff area. This is the opportunity and challenge for funding entities today: to support those already successful in their own neighborhoods, who understand the need and have success in solving the problems. Generous support of ARM will ensure that this success continues.