The Latest in Council News

Problem Gambling Forum

On June 24, 2010 the Council, as coordinating agency for drug and alcohol services in Berks County, sponsored a professional forum on problem gambling in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The all day forum was hosted at Easy Does It, Community Recovery Center in Leesport, PA.

The forum was attended by fifty human service professionals. Attendees increased their knowledge of the signs, symptomsand evidence based responses to problem gambling. James Papas and Carl Robertson, from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, presented on a variety of topics and focused on how problem gambling impacts youth, women, and minority populations. The forum served as an important first step in the development of local resources for problem gambling.

2010 Pat Ganter Scholarships

Congratulations to Kelsey Hoffmann-Cullen (pictured on left) and Carli Rapp (pictured on right) both pictured with Council Board Member Robert Bagenstose. These graduating high school seniors were the recipients of the 2010 Pat Ganter Prevention and Recovery Fund Scholarships. The Council's Pat Ganter Memorial Scholarship is available to Berks County high school students who are involved in prevention programs. The student must be planning to pursue an education in one of the following areas: human services, behavioral health, social work, addiction studies, criminal justice, or psychology, and must explain in their biographical statement how they plan to use their education to work with the addicted population.

Peer Leadership Conference

On Thursday, May 20th, 2010 the Council presented the Annual Peer Leadership Conference.  Approximately 200 middle and high school students from twelve Berks County schools were in attendance. 

A keynote presentation, Live to Tell, was provided by Tim Rader.  Mr. Rader spoke of his personal struggles with addiction as he touched the hearts of the student leaders in attendance. 

Students participated in either the Middle School or High School track.  Middle School workshops included: Recommended Dose- Tim Rader, Live to Tell; WE not ME- Brandon Saudt, Army National Guard; and Whatever it Takes- Cynthia Roper and Jackie Steed, Council on Chemical Abuse.  High School Workshops included: Sticks and Stones-  Janene Holter, PA Attorney General’s Office; Code Red: Deactivating the Stress Bomb – Cheryl Yates, Reading Hospital Center for Mental Health; and Who R U Talking 2? – Jodi Radosh, Alvernia University.

Reading High School Mural Project

Reading High School students from prevention and art clubs are working in conjunction with the Council on a mural to be displayed in the high school. This is the template of the initial mural design.

The group of youth volunteers meets after school in the Reading High School art department to work on the mural. The theme of the design reflects the importance of making healthy choices. Pictured at left is one of the after school art sessions as the students work on the mural.

Great American Smokeout

As part of its Great American Smokeout activities, the Council participated in Jump for Heart at Honeybrook Elementary on November 27, 2009. Pictured at left is Council intern Charles teaching elementary students about the effects of tobacco products on smokers.

2009 Annual Conference

The Council on Chemical Abuse held its annual conference on November 12, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Reading. The theme of this year's conference was Evidence-Based Treatment Practices; Motivating Change.

The keynote speaker at the conference was
Deborah Van Horn, Ph.D. Van Horn is a clinical psychologist specializing in areas of addiction and behavioral health. She is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Health System and an independent consultant and Motivational Interviewing trainer.

The 2009 awards program was held at the conference. Award winners are pictured left to right with Council Executive Director George J. Vogel, Jr. (far left). They are Karen Ferguson, TASC (Treatment Award), Sam Albert (EDI staff), Charlie Beem (EDI Board Member, he is holding the President's Award which was presented to EDI), Amber Derkotch (EDI staff), Fran Cortez Funk, Kutztown University (Prevention Award), and Felix Rodriguez (EDI staff). District Magistrate Ann Young received the Intervention Professional of the Year Award. She is pictured at left with her award. Congratulations to all of the 2009 award recipients!

First Annual Recovery Walk

The Council on Chemical Abuse co-sponsored the First Annual Berks County Recovery Walk on Sunday, September 20, 2009, in conjunction with Easy Does It, Inc., Caron Treatment Centers, and the Reading Public Museum. Pictured are (left to right) Mike Anderson (Reading Public Museum), Drew Eisenhauer (Council on Chemical Abuse), Dave Reyher (Easy Does It, Inc.), and Mike Early (Caron Treatment Centers). The walk began at RACC and ended at the Reading Public Museum with food, music, and other festivities.

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