[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMENDATION FOR THE HAYMARKET CENTER OF CHICAGO, IL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 1997

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to 
commend and congratulate Father Ignatious McDermott and the Haymarket 
Center which he founded as a result of his work in the area on the near 
west side of Chicago. This area, formerly known as ``Skid Row'' earned 
Father McDermott the nickname of the ``Priest of Skid Row.''
  Haymarket Center was founded in 1975 in response to the needs of the 
men and women who frequented the streets and flophouses in the area. 
Haymarket is a full-scale substance abuse treatment center which 
administers 28 programs that provide a comprehensive approach to 
substance abuse known as a continuum of care. Haymarket Center serves 
over 14,000 individuals each year; and since 1975, Father McDermott has 
inspired hundreds of thousands of individuals to overcome their 
addictions to alcohol, tobacco, and/or illegal drugs.
  A model for other substance abuse treatment centers throughout the 
country, Haymarket's continuum of care is an integration of drug abuse 
prevention, treatment, health services, day care, parent training, 
vocational education, and job placement. This integration of services 
enables addicted individuals to recover more quickly and completely. 
Because substance abuse treatment services are largely financed with 
public funding, helping these individuals benefits the taxpaying 
public.
  In recognition of Haymarket Center's leadership in providing high 
quality and effective treatment services, Gen. Barry McCaffrey, 
Director of the Office of National Drug Policy, recently took the 
opportunity to visit the center. General McCaffrey used his visit to 
Haymarket Center to direct the attention of the public to the value of 
our Nation's investment in community-based substance abuse treatment 
services. During his visit, General McCaffrey acknowledged that 
providing effective treatment services not only helps individuals to 
achieve sustained recovery from addiction, but also saves significant 
dollars which would otherwise be necessary for treating addicted 
individuals within our criminal justice system.
  I am pleased to note that Gen. Barry McCaffrey has brought attention 
to the need for a better balance between interdiction and treatment in 
our Nation's efforts to combat drug abuse. I commend Haymarket Center 
for its continued commitment to improving and expanding substance abuse 
prevention and treatment services for all individuals in need, 
including those whom I am privileged to represent.
  I ask my colleagues to join with me in commending Haymarket Center; 
and I urge my colleagues to take as much time as they can to visit a 
comprehensive substance abuse treatment center located in their 
respective districts.
  Again, I commend and congratulate Father Ignatious McDermott and the 
Haymarket Center.

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