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Written by Webmaster
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Wednesday, 05 April 2006 |
The South East Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center has it origins in The Family
Betterment Association. Organized in 1965, The Family Betterment Association
brought together representatives of diverse ethnic groups and communities making
up the far southeast part of Chicago. A primary objective was the establishment
of a City of Chicago Mental Health Center in the area. With a grant from the
National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, the Chicago Alcoholic
Treatment Center, the Mental Health Division, and the Chicago Department of
Health, a year-long survey was conducted. The results of that survey identified
the southeast area of Chicago in great need of alcohol treatment services. From
the results of the survey, the Alcohol Committee and the SCMHC Advisory Board
merged to form the non-profit South East Community Health Organization
(SECHO).
In 1966, the South East Community Health Organization
was funded following the death by drug overdose of a student at a local
high school. Many community, church, political and business leaders, along with
many citizens met together to address the growing drug and alcohol abuse
problems in the Southeast Chicago region. In 1967, the City of Chicago funded
the Southeast Community Mental Health Center (SCMHC). After the establishment of
SCMHC, the Family Betterment Association dissolved and joined the SCMHC advisory
board.
The South East Community Health Organization (SECHO) was
incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1972 and applied for Federal
funding for an Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment Program. In 1974, the Federal
application for funding was approved and the program began operations in March,
1975. In 1979, State funding was approved and a DUI treatment program was added
in 1981. In 1985 SECHO was licensed to treat drug abusers. In 1988, an alcohol
and drug abuse prevention program, taught in local grammar and high schools, was
launched.
In 1989, SECHO commissioned a marketing study by the Chicago
Executive Service Corps. It was suggested that SECHO change its official name to
better identify the target population it served and programs it offered. SECHO
officially became the “South East Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center” (SEADAC). In
1990, The South Shore Youth Treatment office was established and SEADAC was
awarded a Federal Probation contract. In 1992, the CEPADA Program was started.
In 1994, SEADAC acquired its current facility and started the Adult Intensive
Outpatient Treatment Program.
In 1995, SEADAC moved from its 17-year
location at 91st and Exchange Avenue to its new treatment center, a completely
renovated former car dealership at 87th and South Chicago Avenue. This
acquisition and renovation was made possible through the generosity of many
local businesses and individuals, and a substantial capital grant from the
General Mills Foundation. SEADAC also received funding to treat DCFS substance
abuse clients.
In 1996, SEADAC initiated the Chicago Together Prevention
Program, HIV/Aids counseling, and the Adult Intensive Outpatient Treatment
doubled in size. Also in 1996, the Youth Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program
was licensed and began treatment services in 1998. In 1999, SEADAC was licensed
to serve Mentally Ill Substance Abuse (MISA) patients.
SEADAC is now the
largest provider of clinical outpatient treatment counseling services in the
southeast region of the City of Chicago. Annually, SEADAC provides over 39,000
hours of clinical outpatient treatment counseling for over 3,800 adult and youth
alcohol and drug abusers and their families. In addition, the Youth Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Prevention program is taught to over 2,700 young people
annually.
SEADAC’s Service Area
The SEADAC service
area extends from 67th Street (North) to the south suburban border-138th Street
(South); and the Dan Ryan (West) to Lake Michigan (East).
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 25 April 2006 )
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SEADAC 2010 English Brochure
About Us 
