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Wednesday’s meeting covering a program that pays addicts and alcoholics who have taken measures to prevent pregnancy attracted two supportive area health care providers and several young adults arguing against giving addicts and alcoholics money.
The young adults, including members of A Voice of Reason, argued the money only goes to buy more drugs.
But that’s not the point, said Barbara Harris, director of Project Prevention. The point is not the money, but it is to keep addicts and alcoholics from getting pregnant in the first place. Keeping one child from being conceived keeps one child from being neglected and abused, Harris said. It also keeps one child from possible birth defects as a result of exposure to drugs and alcohol in utero.
“Every baby has the right to be born sober,” Harris said.
Funded by private donations, Project Prevention pays people up to $300 a year if they can prove they are addicted to drugs or alcohol and have received long-term birth control. They get a one-time $300 payment if women get tubal ligations or men get vasectomies. Proof of addiction can be a letter from a treatment center or court records.
“No one is turned away,” Harris said.
After Wednesday’s story appeared in the Free Press and Harris’ van appeared throughout Grand Junction, the program’s toll-free number began ringing from people here wanting information, she said.
A social worker in Mesa County who did not want her name publicized said she supports the program and will distribute information about the program.
“This is a serious problem,” she said. “Fetal alcohol syndrome is the worst. It does huge damage to the brain. Those kids are really struggling.”
“That’s why I’m willing to take the heat,” Harris said.
Grand Junction resident Jacob Richards accused Harris’ program of targeting African-Americans. While African-Americans make up 14-15 percent of the population, they make up almost half of the Project Prevention clients, Richards said.
“My husband is black. My children are biracial and I am not a racist,” she said. “Race doesn’t matter to me.”
For information about the program, see projectprevention.org or call 1-888-30-CRACK.
Reach Marija B. Vader at mvader@gjfreepress.com.
The young adults, including members of A Voice of Reason, argued the money only goes to buy more drugs.
But that’s not the point, said Barbara Harris, director of Project Prevention. The point is not the money, but it is to keep addicts and alcoholics from getting pregnant in the first place. Keeping one child from being conceived keeps one child from being neglected and abused, Harris said. It also keeps one child from possible birth defects as a result of exposure to drugs and alcohol in utero.
“Every baby has the right to be born sober,” Harris said.
Funded by private donations, Project Prevention pays people up to $300 a year if they can prove they are addicted to drugs or alcohol and have received long-term birth control. They get a one-time $300 payment if women get tubal ligations or men get vasectomies. Proof of addiction can be a letter from a treatment center or court records.
“No one is turned away,” Harris said.
After Wednesday’s story appeared in the Free Press and Harris’ van appeared throughout Grand Junction, the program’s toll-free number began ringing from people here wanting information, she said.
A social worker in Mesa County who did not want her name publicized said she supports the program and will distribute information about the program.
“This is a serious problem,” she said. “Fetal alcohol syndrome is the worst. It does huge damage to the brain. Those kids are really struggling.”
“That’s why I’m willing to take the heat,” Harris said.
Grand Junction resident Jacob Richards accused Harris’ program of targeting African-Americans. While African-Americans make up 14-15 percent of the population, they make up almost half of the Project Prevention clients, Richards said.
“My husband is black. My children are biracial and I am not a racist,” she said. “Race doesn’t matter to me.”
For information about the program, see projectprevention.org or call 1-888-30-CRACK.
Reach Marija B. Vader at mvader@gjfreepress.com.
