Opening New Doors for Alcoholism and Drug Treatment

The Pasadena Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (PCADD) cut the ribbon on their new Mentor Avenue site Wednesday morning.

Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger joined the leadership teams for PCADD, as well as Social Model Recovery Systems, which operates the Center’s behavioral health treatment programs.

As Mike Shaub, Senior Director of Community Relations, Social Model Recovery Systems, told the gathered friends and dignitaries, “Social Model Recovery Systems is a nonprofit agency that started about 38 years ago in Los Angeles County with the very first program in the United States to address co-occurring disorders in residential treatment. That program is River Community located on 70 acres up in the Angeles National Forest above the hills of Azusa.” 

“That’s how we got our humble beginnings,” Shaub continued, “helping individuals and families and the community with mental health challenges and addiction, alcoholism, and the substance use and abuse of drugs and alcohol. 

Social Model Recovery Systems now has 17 programs and services in Los Angeles County, offering low-cost and no-cost addiction and mental health treatment services. 

As Supervisor Barger said, “You all have come a long way, and I have never been more proud to be a part of a program that has not only moved the needle, but I would argue, serves as a role model to many, many of our service delivery systems here in LA County.” 

Barger added, “Government alone can’t fix this. The nonprofits are what are going to help us truly get people the help that they need and more importantly, that they deserve. This site serves as a role model that we do care, and we take pride in the fact that we are here to help you.”

Also in attendance at the ribbon cutting were Bruce Boardman, chief executive officer, Social Model Recovery Systems; Daniel Lugo, program director, Pasadena Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence; and Ellen Striverson, full-service partnership program director, Pasadena Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. 

The Pasadena Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence serves over 400 participants per year, offering comprehensive support and therapy for alcoholism and drug dependence. The program also offers Adult Full-Service Partnership for individuals between the ages of 26 to 59 with severe mental illness, providing 24/7 crisis support, housing, employment, housing, education, and integrated treatment. 

The new offices are located at 44 South Mentor Avenue, Pasadena, CA.

More information about the PCADD is available at (616) 795-9127. socialmodel.com.pcadd@socialmodel.com