Boise Demand Treatment! celebrated recovery month this year with the two-year anniversary of the city's intensive outpatient methamphetamine treatment center. The center is funded by a three-year grant from SAMHSA.

The methamphetamine treatment center has served a total of 137 people, 117 percent of its capacity, since it opened in 2001. Forty-nine clients have completed a six-month follow up, and 31 have completed a 12-month follow up.

At six-month follow up, 64 percent of clients had experienced no or reduced alcohol or other drug-related health consequences, and 67 percent reported no substance use in the past month. At 12-month follow up, 88 percent of clients experienced no or reduced alcohol or other drug-related health consequences and 81 percent reported no substance use in the past month.

Many treatment program participants celebrated recovery at Boise's first annual SoberFest on September 27, 2003. The all-day event drew over 450 people, including Idaho's First Lady Patricia Kempthorne, who addressed the crowd during the opening ceremony.

Don Coyhis, founder and president of White Bison, a non-profit organization offering healing resources to Native Americans, started the day with a traditional song and blessing. Additionally, several state senators and representatives were honored for their tireless efforts to support the recovery community, including Senator Hal Bunderson, Senator Cecil Ingram, Senator Elliot Werk, Senator Mike Burkett, Representative Ken Robison, Representative Margaret Henbest and Representative David Langhorst.

To learn more about Boise Demand Treatment, contact Bethany Gadzinski at bgadzinski@cityofboise.org.