Some of the definitions of integrity include: The state or quality of being entire or complete; whole-ness; moral soundness; honesty; freedom from cor-rupting influence or motive.

It was on these principles 40 years ago last No-vember that Integrity Inc. was founded in Newark by parole officer Dave Kerr, who recognized the need for a support system to help the many drug addicts on his caseload.

Integrity, Inc., referred to as Integrity House, is a carefully-managed, highly-effective Therapeutic Community (TC) comprised of long-term residential and outpatient treatment programs licensed by the State of New Jersey to serve those with substance abuse problems and pre-release inmates.

The majority of Integrity House’s programs have attained the prestigious Commission on Accredita-tion of Rehabilitation Services (CARF) accreditation status. With two locations in New Jersey—Newark and Secaucus, Integrity House is actively treat-ing well over 500 individuals at any given time and supporting hundreds more through outreach efforts, mentorship and alumni activities. The organization works to educate the community on the realities of addiction and the true human and financial costs by working with the Division of Addiction Services and the criminal justice system, by conducting sympo-siums, and by collaborating with local community leaders.

Kerr says the state has been successful in reduc-ing the prison population, but more has to be done to increase treatment services for addicts. Approxi-mately 70 percent of individuals leaving jail without treatment relapse, while the recidivism rate for those receiving treatment is only 30 percent. Kerr adds that what is most needed is more long-term residen-tial care services, follow-up and case management and mentoring after the addict leaves treatment.

“There is real need in our state to treat more addicts,” Kerr says. “Sixty-two of the 400 people waiting for a bed at Integrity House are currently in jail. Our cost is half what it costs to keep someone in jail for one day, so it’s important that we look toward more cost effective measures to treat addicts. Ad-

diction is very treatable, even relapse is treatable.”Integrity House’s long-term recovery success

differs from most standard addiction services by implementing a five-year TC model that empha-sizes giving up the negative lifestyle and in its place belonging to the TC and its structured, positive aspects.  Essential to long-term recovery, the model also provides key support services including social skills development, resolving legal issues, housing, budgeting, parenting, job training, spiritual develop-ment, relationship training and family reunification.

“We keep it real,” Kerr says. “There is no magic pill, but at Integrity House we are helping people get off drugs and back into a positive lifestyle. For example, one woman who was in our program just got a good paying job. We are helping turn lives around.” NJB

David H. Kerr, president of Integrity House (center), recognizes Integrity House alumni John Scott (left) and Deirdre Malloy (right) at the Past, Present & Future Gala and 40th anniversary celebration of Integrity House.

88 June 2009

BEFORE YOU GO

By Kevin Berrigan

Integrity Marks 40 Years of Helping Addicts

A Publication of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association