CONTACT: Jana M. Scoville, (404) 508-7875

DeKalb Community Service Board Hosts Russian Delegates of the
U.S. Library of Congress Open World Leadership Center

DECATUR, Georgia -- The DeKalb Community Service Board's (CSB) Criminal Justice Program will host five substance abuse administrators from Russia on November 11 - 19 for a tour of the DeKalb CSB's Criminal Justice Service programs as part of the U.S. Library of Congress, Open World Leadership Center in Washington, D.C. The Open World Program was authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1999 to increase mutual understanding between Russia and the United States and to bring emerging federal and local Russian political leaders to the United States to meet their American counterparts and gain firsthand knowledge of how American civil society works.

The program participants who will visit the DeKalb CSB are all substance abuse administrators in Russia. The visit will allow them to gain a better understanding of substance abuse treatment in America by gaining knowledge about programs and best practices embedded in the relationship between the substance abuse services provided by the DeKalb CSB and the DeKalb County Criminal Justice System.
"This program gives the DeKalb CSB a once in a lifetime opportunity to share our programs and service areas on an international level with a group that is facing increasing substance abuse issues," said Janice Robbins, Director, DeKalb CSB Criminal Justice Services."

The DeKalb CSB has an array of Criminal Justice Services that work in partnership with the DeKalb County Criminal Justice System. The least intensive intervention is the DeKalb CSB Court Services program which includes substance abuse education and intervention, risk reduction classes, multiple offender evaluations an employee assistance program and domestic violence/anger management classes. The next level of treatment is provided in partnership with the DeKalb County Superior Drug Court called Drug Court Professional Treatment Services. These services provide offenders an opportunity to engage in treatment while living at home or in a substance abuse residential setting instead of being incarcerated as long as they follow the mandate of the court. The DeKalb CSB also provides an intensive substance abuse treatment program within the DeKalb County Jail. The Substance Abuse Treatment Offender Program (STOP) is a 90 day program and is a six month residential program that includes a life skills component.

The DeKalb CSB offers a comprehensive continuum of mental health, developmental disabilities and addiction services. To access services, a central access telephone number, (404) 892-4646, is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week with clinicians available for assessments, appointment scheduling and referrals. The DeKalb CSB is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and works cooperatively with consumers and their families to achieve desired outcomes. For more information about the DeKalb CSB visit our web site at www.dekcsb.org or contact our Community Relations Office at (404) 508-7875.

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