Offers new substance abuse counseling services in Big Sky
WOMEN IN ACTION
BIG SKY – The nonprofit Women In Action has expanded its community counseling services in Big Sky to now include a substance abuse counseling program.
Beginning Feb. 21, Alcohol and Drug Services of Gallatin County will send substance abuse counselor Lindsay Herron to Big Sky every Thursday to provide outpatient evaluation, intervention and treatment services to residents. The program works in stride with WIA’s mission to enrich the lives of children and families, providing access and support to social programs for the community.
WIA established this new program in part as a reaction to an opinion-based community health needs assessment that established baseline information on community health. Substance abuse and mental health (counseling) issues were a major health concern for 56 percent of survey respondents and was the second highest ranked community health need. Additionally, local law enforcement officials report that the majority of incidents and arrests in the Big Sky area involve alcohol and drugs.
A community health assessment conducted in 2012 by the Gallatin County Health Department showed that substance use and abuse is prevalent and a growing concern in all of Gallatin County.
The substance abuse counseling program will provide critical access to services for Big Sky residents unable to commute to Bozeman who would otherwise forgo treatment. For more information, visit wiabigsky.org.
