Huy Thach's* life was spiraling out of control. "I used to drink and use drugs on the street. I had five hospitalizations and was in jail five times because of drug dealing, theft and trespassing." In addition to his problems with substance abuse, Huy also struggled with schizophrenia and depression.
Twice a week, he now joins 25 other men to participate in Asian Counseling and Referral Service's Mental Illness Chemical Abuse (MICA) program, which recently received an award for Exemplary Service in Systems Integration from King County Mental Health and Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services. "Here, I meet other Asian brothers who had same problem as mine. They understand my experience as a Vietnamese refugee. They understand my anger, frustration and hopelessness."
Yoon Joo Han, ACRS Behavioral Health Director, explained that most of the clients in the MICA program have stories similar to Huy's. "All of them have mental illness and substance abuse issues. Many of them have a criminal history and, because of that, they have trouble finding housing so they are also most likely homeless. They have never worked and have no family support," she said.
There are few places these men can go for help, she said. "There just aren't that many bilingual, bicultural professionals available to provide treatment." In all of Washington, there are only 13 certified chemical dependency professionals who are Asian Pacific American, according to the 2002 Washington State Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Staffing Pattern Survey.
ACRS became a certified treatment facility in 1999 and the following year, it started the MICA program. "At first, we really struggled with the MICA program," Yoon Joo said. "The clients are not ordered by the court to have treatment so attendance was really low. When [Clinical Supervisor] Damien Yee and [Clinical Case Manager] Philip Long began to work together, the program really started to change; more clients started to come." Now 15 to 25 clients come regularly twice a week, three hours a day.
Tong Nguyen said, "Philip is a person we can trust. He is a brother, a friend. Before, the group was a lot smaller. He has some magic thing that brings us all together." Yoon Joo explained the "magic thing" is the cultural competence Philip brings to the program. "The approach in a lot of mainstream programs is about confrontation," she said. "Philip knows when not to confront. And if there is a need to confront a client for his behavior, he does so in a way that the client won't lose face. The program is about empowerment. It's designed to give each of them an opportunity to be leaders, to make them feel cared for and good about themselves."
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the men come to ACRS to share a meal with each other and check in with what's going on in their lives. Since many are homeless, they teach each other about hygiene. Many of the clients are limited-English speaking so they spend time developing their English skills and those who are bilingual serve as interpreters. On occasion, they go fishing, have picnics and engage in other sober activities.
Outside of the group time, Philip helps them individually by providing them with case management, which sometimes includes getting them housing.
Client John dela Cruz said, "Before I came here, I was really lost. I was using drugs and drinking because that was how I knew to deal with it. Since coming here, my focus changed. Now, I'm going to school and I have a goal."
All the men at a recent meeting said the support they receive from each other and the staff is what helps them through their setbacks and keeps them coming to the program. "All of us are willing to listen to each other and the staff here are very helpful," said John.
"I gained so many brothers that I can talk to and depend on," said Huy. "I have been sober almost a year and a half. I feel good about myself. I dress good. I got my own place now. I attended a conference with my counselor about working with non-English speaking clients. I hope and plan to work some day. I am so thankful to the MICA program because it saved my life. All of my brothers in the group agree."
* We have honored the clients' requests not to use their real names in this article.
