Post by Okwes on May 24, 2007 13:49:40 GMT -5
Karuk Tribal Health Clinic: Were here for everyone By BRAD SMITH
Daily News Staff Writer
Daily News
Photo/Brad Smith - The Karuk Tribal Health Clinic’s Dr. Jesse
Drake, left, and substance abuse program director, Joseph Snapp, right,
are hoping that people, native and non-native alike, take advantage of
the medical and social services that the Karuk progam offers. SISKIYOU
COUNTY �" The Karuk Tribal Health Clinic wants all of Siskiyou
County to know that they want to help everyone �" Native Americans
and non-natives alike.
“Medical and social services, with the exception of dental, are
open to the public,” Dr. Jesse Drake said. Drake is a
psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker at the KTHC.
“Just because the KTHC is owned by the tribe doesn’t mean
that we deal only with Native Americans,” Drake said. The client
breakdown, he said, shows that 60 to 70 percent are Native American
clients, while the rest are non-natives. “The latter is
entirely Caucasian. We currently don’t have any Hispanic clients
�" but we’re open to them,” Drake said.
Drake said that the KTHC accepts Medi-Cal, Medi-Care and insurance.
“We’ll work with those who don’t have Medi-Cal,
Medi-Care or insurance, too.”
The clinic is making an effort to let the public know about the
availability of the KTHC’s services, Drake said, because he feels
that there is a serious need for it. “We have some serious
problems in this county. This is an economically depressed area. Tie
that in with substance abuse and an inability to properly interact with
family, friends and society in general �" you have dire
problems,” Drake said.
He said that substance abuse is very damaging since it affects not only
the abuser but the abuser’s family and friends as well.
“It’s just not the abuse of substances �"
it’s how one interacts with family and friends. Society, too, is
affected. Some abusers commit crimes,” Drake said. “Other
people are some times hurt by those actions. And then the
abuser’s family and friends, of course, are hurt again.”
Drake said it is a vicious cycle. However, he added, cycles can be
broken.
“That’s what we work on here, breaking that cycle,”
Drake explained. “Joseph Snapp is our substance abuse
program’s director. He’s done some great work.”
Drake said that Snapp works with more than 40 cases. Six of those
individuals are non-native. “The ages ran from 18 to
83,” Drake added.
He said that Snapp has some counselors working with young people in
Orleans’ schools.
“Think of it as a means of prevention,” Drake said.
“Children today receive a lot negative messages and stereotypes
via the media. We’re trying to counteract that.”
The KTHC, according to Drake, has an array of programs ranging from
domestic abuse to relapse prevention. Programs are outpatient oriented.
The clinic works with a number of agencies, including Child Protective
Services, Probation and Department of Social Services.
Drake and Snapp both hope that people, Native American or otherwise,
will take advantage of the KTHC programs. “We’re
here to help people, regardless of ethnicity or class. We don’t
care about that �" we care about helping people,” Drake
said. “We have a lot to offer, with our medical and social
services. All people have to do is walk in and ask.”
The KTHC is located on 1509 S. Oregon Street. For more information call
842-9200.
Daily News Staff Writer
Daily News
Photo/Brad Smith - The Karuk Tribal Health Clinic’s Dr. Jesse
Drake, left, and substance abuse program director, Joseph Snapp, right,
are hoping that people, native and non-native alike, take advantage of
the medical and social services that the Karuk progam offers. SISKIYOU
COUNTY �" The Karuk Tribal Health Clinic wants all of Siskiyou
County to know that they want to help everyone �" Native Americans
and non-natives alike.
“Medical and social services, with the exception of dental, are
open to the public,” Dr. Jesse Drake said. Drake is a
psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker at the KTHC.
“Just because the KTHC is owned by the tribe doesn’t mean
that we deal only with Native Americans,” Drake said. The client
breakdown, he said, shows that 60 to 70 percent are Native American
clients, while the rest are non-natives. “The latter is
entirely Caucasian. We currently don’t have any Hispanic clients
�" but we’re open to them,” Drake said.
Drake said that the KTHC accepts Medi-Cal, Medi-Care and insurance.
“We’ll work with those who don’t have Medi-Cal,
Medi-Care or insurance, too.”
The clinic is making an effort to let the public know about the
availability of the KTHC’s services, Drake said, because he feels
that there is a serious need for it. “We have some serious
problems in this county. This is an economically depressed area. Tie
that in with substance abuse and an inability to properly interact with
family, friends and society in general �" you have dire
problems,” Drake said.
He said that substance abuse is very damaging since it affects not only
the abuser but the abuser’s family and friends as well.
“It’s just not the abuse of substances �"
it’s how one interacts with family and friends. Society, too, is
affected. Some abusers commit crimes,” Drake said. “Other
people are some times hurt by those actions. And then the
abuser’s family and friends, of course, are hurt again.”
Drake said it is a vicious cycle. However, he added, cycles can be
broken.
“That’s what we work on here, breaking that cycle,”
Drake explained. “Joseph Snapp is our substance abuse
program’s director. He’s done some great work.”
Drake said that Snapp works with more than 40 cases. Six of those
individuals are non-native. “The ages ran from 18 to
83,” Drake added.
He said that Snapp has some counselors working with young people in
Orleans’ schools.
“Think of it as a means of prevention,” Drake said.
“Children today receive a lot negative messages and stereotypes
via the media. We’re trying to counteract that.”
The KTHC, according to Drake, has an array of programs ranging from
domestic abuse to relapse prevention. Programs are outpatient oriented.
The clinic works with a number of agencies, including Child Protective
Services, Probation and Department of Social Services.
Drake and Snapp both hope that people, Native American or otherwise,
will take advantage of the KTHC programs. “We’re
here to help people, regardless of ethnicity or class. We don’t
care about that �" we care about helping people,” Drake
said. “We have a lot to offer, with our medical and social
services. All people have to do is walk in and ask.”
The KTHC is located on 1509 S. Oregon Street. For more information call
842-9200.