Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #100831

Andre Johnson, MA, Bureau of Substance Abuse, Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, 1151 Taylor St, Rm 417C, Detroit, MI 48202, 3138760770, johnsonal@health.ci.detroit.mi.us and Sha Juan Colbert, MPH, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, 704 St. Maron Place, Detroit, MI 48207.

Issues: Roughly 14,000 residents enter publicly funded drug treatment programs annually in Detroit. About 70% of these persons has previously entered treatment for drug addiction, and have relapsed. As a result of this high recidivism rate, the City of Detroit Department of Health Wellness & Promotion/Bureau of Substance Abuse aimed to increase their relapse prevention activities, by creating the Detroit Recovery Project (DRP).

Description: The DRP attempts to prevent drug relapses among substance abusers in the city of Detroit, by using social support and network strategies.

Lessons Learned: Since the DRP was funded in 2003 it has successfully created a template for a relapse prevention program that merges the public health department and the recovery community. The DRP has a dedicated volunteer staff and a recovery house drop in center that serves as the community headquarters. The project hosts support groups, GED preparation, transportation, social events, and a host of other services to help prevent relapse in Detroit. The project is in the process of adding a HIV prevention component.

Recommendations: Due to the extensive community involvement, this project will be able to maintain itself after the grant funding has ended. The project can be implemented and replicated in many cities that struggle with high recidivism rates among substance abusers.

Learning Objectives: