Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment in California Threatened: Cuts in Funding Jeopardize Phoenix Academy San Diego

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment in California Threatened: Cuts in Funding
Jeopardize Phoenix Academy San Diego
Appeal to Community - Help These Kids Who Need it Most

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Since 1988, Phoenix Academy San
Diego has helped thousands of troubled teens reclaim their lives, establishing
itself as a vital county resource for at-risk youth and their families. The
Academy, a residential high school for youth with substance abuse and
co-occurring mental health disorders is now suffering further declines in the
state funding it relies upon to operate, it was announced today by Winnie
Wechsler, Executive Director for Phoenix Houses of California. As the program
- which offers its services regardless of a family's ability to pay - seeks
out new sources of funding, it has become increasingly dependent upon private
donations to meet its operational costs and is issuing an appeal to the
community for help.

"Phoenix Academy is one of the few places in our community where troubled
teens and their families can turn when all other options have failed. It is a
place that has offered hope - and led to remarkable recovery - for countless
kids," says John Davies, a San Diego attorney and founding board member of
Phoenix Houses of California. "We are asking the community to join us in our
commitment to keep our program healthy during these tough economic times."

Located in the hills of Descanso, just east of San Diego, the Academy has
provided thousands of adolescents struggling with substance abuse, along with
their families, a comprehensive, holistic array of services that address
medical, mental health, education, and other family needs. Since its founding,
the program has been a critical link in the continuum of care that is
available to at-risk youth in San Diego County, especially those who could
otherwise not afford treatment.

"For more than two decades, Phoenix Academy San Diego has been changing lives
by helping young people confront and manage their addictions so they can go on
to lead happy, healthy, productive lives," says Elizabeth Urquhart, Director
of Adolescent Services for Phoenix House in San Diego. "Every day youth arrive
at the Academy in need of our mental health and treatment services - services
that our reach and experience show they need to successfully overcome their
problems."

Says Naveed, a graduate of Phoenix Academy San Diego who is currently studying
to become a certified substance abuse counselor, "I have all the tools I've
learned in the program and I'm using them in the real world."

To find out how you can help support Phoenix Academy San Diego, please contact
Elizabeth Urquhart at 619-445-0405 x4654 or via email at
eurquhart@phoenixhouse.org.

For more information, or for any media inquiries about Phoenix House, please
contact Karen Sodomick, Director of Marketing and Communications for Phoenix
House, at 646-505-2093 or ksodomick@phoenixhouse.org. You may also contact
Davia Temin or Allison Bennett of Temin and Company at 212-588-8788 or
news@teminandco.com.

About Phoenix House and Phoenix Academy San Diego
Phoenix Academy San Diego is one of several adolescent treatment programs run
by Phoenix House nationwide which has been recognized as a model,
evidence-based program by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and
the U.S. Department of Justice.

Phoenix House has been touching the lives of California residents for 30
years, helping adolescents, adults, and their families overcome the problems
associated with substance abuse and empowering them with the skills to lead
healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. With 18 programs located throughout
Southern and Central California, Phoenix House currently provides treatment to
more than 1,200 men, women, and teens each day.

Phoenix House is committed to protecting and supporting individuals, families,
and communities affected by substance abuse (www.phoenixhouse.org).

SOURCE Phoenix House

Davia Temin or Allison Bennett of Temin and Company, +1-212-588-8788,
news@teminandco.com, for Phoenix House