LCADA Way touts treatment at grand opening event

SANDUSKY — Getting arrested was one of the best things to ever happen to a young woman who greeted visitors attending a grand opening Thursday for the Erie County Wellness Center at the Erie County Health Department.The woman, whose name isn't being used to protect her privacy, is a recovering meth user and a current resident of Becky's House, a recovery housing unit for women run by Road to Hope, an organization based in Lorain County. The residents receive their addiction treatment from The LCADA Way, which provides substance abuse treatment.The woman, who said she had never been in trouble before, said the arrest was a wake-up call she needed. She said she had been using methamphetamines for three years and has now been in recovery for 60 days.She said her substance abuse disorder has cost her just about everything in her life that's important to her.She is separated from her husband, who has full custody of the couple's three children. She said she has used up two retirement funds."I haven't been to a family function in a couple of years," she said.After giving a doleful account of her recent life, the woman smiled when asked about living at Becky's House."I love it. Right now, I'm the happiest I've been in three years," she said.Helping people like her have been the focus for LCADA Way and for Becky's House.LCADA Way now has seven employees in Sandusky and is looking to add more, said Andrea Jones, director of treatment in Sandusky for the agency.Most of the agency's current clients are residents of LCADA Way, but the agency is expanding providing substance abuse and mental health treatment for other people in the community. The agency accepts Medicaid, she said."We will soon be able to offer transportation to our group services," Jones said. "That's a huge barrier."Becky's House opened in early February with nine residents. It had 38 in late May and now has 45 residents, said Jeff Kamms, executive director of Road to Hope."We're full," Kamms said."So far, it's been great," Kamms said. "A lot of the ladies have stayed. A lot of them have started the first transition where they are working."Besides residents and employees of the two agencies and the health department, the grand opening attracted volunteers such as Mande Kamms, Jeff Kamms' sister."We get to know some of the residents and fall in love with them," she said. "They are like family."The event also drew officials such as Erie County commissioner Stephen Shoffner.Referring to the women staying at Becky's House, Shoffner said, "They're county residents now. We've got to be able to take care of them."A residential bedroom inside Becky's House on June 13, 2019.Director of treatment for The LCADA Way, Andrea Jones, gives a tour of Becky's House for visitors during the "Grand Opening" of The LCADA Way treatment facility.Lounging areas for residents inside Becky's House on June 13, 2019.A residential bedroom inside Becky's House on June 13, 2019.Director of treatment for The LCADA Way, Andrea Jones, gives a tour to visitors during a "Grand Opening" for The LCADA Way, held at Becky's House. Lounging areas for residents inside Becky's House on June 13, 2019.The view from the patio just outside of the dining area inside Becky's House on June 13, 2019.The dining area inside Becky's House on June 13, 2019.The dining area inside Becky's House on June 13, 2019.