The prenatal substance abuse program run by Davis Mental Health received a 1996 National Association of Counties award.
The program is a countywide effort to reach pregnant women using drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. The program helps women remain substance free while gaining parenting skills."Implementation of this program was very much a countywide effort," said Dr. Russell Williams, head of Davis Mental Health. "A prenatal steering committee was established with representatives from a wide range of county departments and agencies."
The program served 104 women in 1995. Of those, 40 were referred to chemical dependency treatment, 17 received employment help, 53 got housing help, and 21 were aided with prenatal visits.
Sixty-one women quit using drugs or alcohol or tobacco through the program, 23 cut down on tobacco use, and 71 percent of the clients have remained substance-free since delivery, according to Davis Mental Health.