Rep. Kelly to Speak at Treatment Unit Grand Opening

(Fairbanks) - The Salvation Army Clitheroe Center Specialized Treatment Unit (STU) will host an official grand opening at 11:30 am, Wednesday November 4th in Anchorage. Those scheduled to speak include Senator Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage), Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan and Representative Mike Kelly (R-Fairbanks).

I am convinced that mandatory commitment by a judge may be the only hope for some of these folks.
~ Rep. Mike Kelly

The STU program, the first of its kind in Alaska, paves the way for adult chronic public inebriates at serious risk of harm to themselves or others to receive detox and treatment services. Local Fairbanks Representative Mike Kelly swung his support to the new treatment unit because space will also now be provided for Fairbanks chronic public inebriates. "I've witnessed the public inebriate problem in Fairbanks my entire adult life," said Kelly. "We've made a little progress, but are still desperate for real solutions." Kelly has served over twenty years on the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Foundation which helped get the Gateway program in Fairbanks off the ground. The goal of the Gateway program is to detox, treat and help to offer a gateway to a healthy life for Fairbanks public inebriates.

"I am convinced that mandatory commitment by a judge may be the only hope for some of these folks," Kelly said. "At Fairbanks Memorial we know that sticking them in a van, cruiser or ambulance, treating them in an emergency room, sobering them up and dumping them back on the street provides no on-ramp to a normal and productive life. It is also disruptive and very costly. I figured the Anchorage Treatment Unit was worth a try and convinced proponents to provide some spaces for Fairbanks chronic inebriates."

"Though Senator Ellis and I often don't agree on issues, we came together on this one and secured the funds to help launch this promising program," Kelly said.