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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 23, 2013

Contact: Kristen Reed Credo Community Center 595 W. Main St. Watertown, NY 13601 Tel: (315) 788-1530 Fax: (315) 788-3794 Email: kristenr@credocommunitycenter.com

CREDO COMMUNITY CENTER LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENTS WATERTOWN, NY - Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addictions, Inc. is collaborating with The Seven Challenges to bring an evidence based substance abuse and co-occurring disorders treatment program to adolescents in Jefferson County. According to the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the percentage of ninth through 12th graders who used marijuana within the previous 30 days increased since 2007 from 19.7 percent to 23.1 percent last year; the percentage who ever tried marijuana grew during that same period from 38.1 percent to 39.9 percent. A survey in 2009 indicated 43.5 percent of high school seniors had used alcohol in the prior month, while 27.4 percent admitted to consuming an amount that made them feel drunk. Local educators and parents will no longer need to search outside of the county for the support to effectively help their adolescent with drugs and/or alcohol. Credo is now offering these services for adolescents by establishing a partnership with parents locally to get their children the help they need, said Lila Love, a clinical supervisor of the new program. The Seven Challenges model, which was created and written by Dr. Robert Schwebel, has become increasingly successful in targeting hard to reach and hard to engage adolescents. Instead of a one-size-fits all approach, the Seven Challenges Program is individualized with careful attention to meeting youth where they are at and providing successful counseling interventions. This helps young people look at themselves, understand what it takes to give up a drug abusing lifestyle, and prepare for success when they commit to change. More information on The Seven Challenges can be found at www.sevenchallenges.com. Elizabeth Stevens, clinical director of the Credo Community Centers Outpatient clinic adds, We are very excited to have trained professionals ready and able to serve the North Country to effectively make a difference in the lives of adolescents who need interventions before their substance abuse continues on through their adulthood. Dr. Schwebel has worked for more than 35 years in the prevention and treatment of adolescent and young adult substance abuse. He has conducted training and workshop sessions for professional and community audiences around the country, published numerous books and articles, and developed prevention and treatment programs for schools, and public and private agencies. Regularly called for comments and interviews by the national and local press, Dr. Schwebel has appeared on the Oprah Show, The Today Show, numerous CNN interviews, and The CBS Early Show. Credo Community Center has been in the business of providing outpatient and residential chemical dependency treatment for individuals, groups, families, adults, adolescents and children, whose lives have been negatively impacted by substance abuse since 1970. Credo also hosts a free family support group at their outpatient clinic twice a month for those individuals impacted by a family members substance abuse. Credos new collaboration with The Seven Challenges will offer youth opportunities to increase self awareness, develop skills, and utilize strengths, enabling them to become healthy, contributing members of their communities and families.

Community professionals including school counselors, court officials, parents, and citizens are welcome to learn more about The Seven Challenges Program on July 31st, 2013 from 4pm-5:30 pm. Elizabeth Stevens of Credo along with Rick Barr of The Seven Challenges program will be presenting an overview of the program at the Credo Community Center Outpatient Clinic located at 595 W. Main Street in Watertown, NY. For more information regarding The Seven Challenges please contact Elizabeth Stevens at (315) 788-1530. For further inquiries about the free family support group please contact Lila Love at (315) 788-1530 or visit www.credocommunitycenter.com.

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