A lifeline for substance abuse recovery: Palmer Drug Abuse Program

Substance use disorders affect individuals, families, and communities. In 2023, 48.5 million people in the U.S. experienced a substance use disorder. To address this critical issue, Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital has partnered with the Palmer Drug Abuse Program of Lea County, New Mexico to provide matching grant funds from Providence's Well Being Trust and Covenant’s Community Benefit Wellness and Prevention. This partnership enables community members affected by substance use disorders to access free, essential services. 

Executive Director of PDAP Stewart Sroufe emphasizes the program's transformative impact, "Palmer Drug Abuse Program gives people the opportunity to start over and make a difference in their own lives and others' lives." PDAP staff, who have struggled with substance use disorder themselves, now help others through their personal experiences with addiction and recovery. 

"Sobriety gave me my life back and now I get to see the miracles and the light in people's eyes as families get restored," said Shannon Pickering, a PDAP substance abuse associate. 

PDAP provides essential peer support, weekly meetings, and group activities for individuals struggling with substance abuse and their families. The Younger Group (ages 13-17) and Special People Group (ages 5-12) offer children a safe, supportive environment to express their feelings, especially those living in homes affected by substance abuse. 

“Palmer Drug Abuse Program is so much more than helping those who struggle with addiction,” said Jeromie Pickering, a member of PDAP Hobbs. “They take everyone who is affected by drug abuse and needs help, offering them that help.”  

PDAP is a vital resource for the community, restoring families and strengthening the community by addressing substance abuse challenges.