About NWSARA
The consequences of the use of drugs and alcohol on the individual and upon our society has been well known for years. Prohibition was passed many years ago to try and curb the excesses of alcohol use with no success. The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program was started many years ago as one of the first programs developed to help the individual combat the effects of long term alcohol use and help the individual, through his own personal commitment, to recover from his alcohol use. In today’s society, recreational drugs and alcohol continue to have a devastating effect on individuals who use them and on their families. There is no doubt that many of the homeless people we are dealing with today are there because of the effects of the use of recreational substances on their minds and bodies.
In a society where the use of alcohol is advertised and promoted and recreational drugs are sought after, it is no doubt that individuals whose physical and mental capabilities are not capable of handling these substances will become addicted and caught up in the downward spiral of destroying their productive lives to one degree or another. Once these individuals have destroyed their ability to properly function and have no job or family to help them, they will have no resources upon which to recover, even if they want to.
About NWSARA Goals and Purposes
The NW Substance Abuse Recovery Alliance (NWSARA) is incorporated in the State of Washington as a nonprofit and is an IRS Code Sec. 501c ( 3 ) tax exempt organization and is not in the business to make money.
NWSARA was founded with the purpose in mind of assisting organizations that are in financial need who are providing treatment to individuals who want to recover from their substance abuse. Specifically, to aid organizations that provide a substance abuse treatment program following the 12 step Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program that includes a sober living requirement. This assistance is to be in the form of facilities to help carry out their treatment program goals. The treatment program is to be provided to individuals who are seeking help to recover from their disease on a long term basis.
In addition, NWSARA has recently added to its purposes the goal of raising monies to provide financial aid (scholarships) or grants to organizations and individuals who are following the treatment program for a long term recovery from substance use. There are many individuals who are no longer productive people due to their substance abuse habit who have no resources to pay for treatment and are barely able to feed and house themselves, even if they stop their substance use habit. Even if one has a job that provides an insurance benefit, insurance companies along with government agencies are cutting the amounts paid for treatment charges, stressing the financial health of the organizations who are providing the treatment to be able to pay their employees and facility costs.
How We Are Meeting Our Goals
To take action to accomplish it’s goals and purposes, NWSARA is currently the owner of a 5 acre parcel of land with an 8 bedroom house that has been remodeled to comfortably accommodate up to 22 people who are in need of low income housing while they undergo treatment for their substance
The site also has an additional living unit that can house 2 additional people as staff. The house is currently being leased to Whatcom Sober Living, an affiliate of Contact Counseling who provides treatment services for substance abuse, and offers this low cost housing at $500 to $600 per month to people being treated for substance abuse.
In addition, and subject to additional donations and grants, it is the intention of NWSARA to continue to acquire or lease facilities for uses for; additional sober living housing as needed; recreational facilities to support those in recovery; housing that is temporary housing for those who have resumed substance abuse temporarily and want to return to recovery; housing for those who are in transition from recovery to returning to a non substance abuse normal life; and an additional local detoxification facility.
"The ultimate goal of NWSARA is to promote the long term recovery of individuals from their substance abuse habit so they come once again become productive members of society."
Approaches to Substance Abuse Treatment
In the field of substance abuse treatment, there seems to be several approaches to the treatment of substance abuse. Many programs are counseling oriented or focus on the humanitarian side of the disease in providing food and housing first and do not get to the basis for a long term recovery from substance abuse.
It has long been recognized that the 12 step program developed by AA can lead to long term recovery and with the added component of a sober living environment, the individual has added support to follow those steps ultimately leading to a long term recovery.
Learn More About NWSARA’s Mission
The ultimate goal of NWSARA is to promote the long term recovery of individuals from their substance abuse habit so they come once again become productive members of society.
It is the intention of NWSARA, and subject to additional donations and grants, to pursue this goal vigorously to help organizations providing treatment to accept people who would now have the financial support to seek treatment and who would not otherwise be able to do so.
Show Your Support
If you would like to support the goals and purpose of NWSARA as described above, please consider making a donation or mail your check to
NWSARA
2795 E. Bakerview Rd #17
Bellingham, WA 98226
It is a tax deductible donation and would be very much appreciated.