Inspiration from The Doors

John Densmore Featured in Writers and Artists Series.

ECHO MALIBU Youth Treatment Center recently featured John Densmore of THE DOORS in it’s writers and artists series. The series is designed to feature successful and sober writers, actors, musicians, artists and others from the entertainment industry who want to share their stories with adolescents in treatment for chemical dependency, emotional or behavioral disorders.

As a member of the legendary band THE DOORS, John witnessed first hand the devastation that can result from drug addiction, culminating in the death of fellow band member Jim Morrison. During his time with the teens at ECHO, Densmore shared stories regarding drug use that he witnessed in the music industry and his own process for remaining free of chemical dependency. He openly welcomed each of the youth to ask him questions and offered them support in their efforts to reclaim their lives.

According to Dr. Jeff Nalin, co-founder of ECHO MALIBU, the event was very meaningful for many of the participants. “John was so open and honest about what it is like to see someone you care about destroy themselves with drug use. I think many of the young people were really hearing for the first time what it is like to lose someone you care about to addiction. It was very powerful.”

ECHO MALIBU’s writers and artists series features a special guest each month. Dr. Nalin went on to state “We have an exciting group of very successful individuals from all areas of the entertainment industry lined up for 2007. We are delighted that so many who have chosen to share their time and experiences with our youth have found value in the experience and encouraged others to participate.”

Returning Baseball to Inner Cities

ECHO MALIBU Continues Support for Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities.

Echo Malibu recently renewed it's commitment to Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), at a fundraising dinner. The event brought together professional baseball players, business leaders, members of the news and entertainment professions and other concerned civic leaders committed to RBI’s goal to revive baseball in the inner cities. Proceeds went directly to RBI to support the mission of providing a positive, high quality baseball experience to more than 185,000 youth in 185 cities world wide. The ultimate intent is to use baseball as a tool to reduce high school drop out rates, drug use and gang affiliations.

According to Dr. Nalin, co-founder of ECHO MALIBU Youth Treatment Center “Supporting quality prevention programs is an important part of our mission. It’s ideal if youth can find positive alternatives to drugs and never require our services.”

2007 Calendar

ECHO MALIBU Alumni Association and Parent's Council Publish 2007 Calendar

The Echo Malibu Alumni Association working in conjunction with the Echo Malibu Parent’s council recently published a 2007 calendar titled FOCUS. The calendar features the art work and writing of youth who received treatment at ECHO. On the back page of the calendar, Brian Johnson, Chair of ECHO’s Parent’s Council provided the following letter:

Dear Friend of ECHO MALIBU,

On behalf of the ECHO MALIBU Parent’s Council we would like to wish you an inspiring and trans-formative New Year. The Parent’s Council is a group of concerned parents of ECHO MALIBU clients and alumni. We are committed to being active agents in our children’s recovery and healing. On that note, we are proud to share our 2007 Calendar, FOCUS. We are doubly proud of every artist and poet who participated in the project. We hope that you are as moved by the work as we continue to be.

The calendar is available free of charge to all friends of ECHO. If you would like a calendar and have not received one, please drop us a note to request a complimentary copy.

Advocacy

ECHO supports NATSAP/Former Drug Czar Focus on Advocacy for Youth and Families

ECHO MALIBU is a member of The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, better known as NATSAP. This national association serves as a resource for programs and professionals who assist young people suffering from emotional difficulties. Earlier this month the association announced its intent to preserve and protect programs for children and families in need of specialized educational and treatment services and called on other children’s advocacy groups to join them in their efforts.

“Children and their families face far too many barriers to access the care they need.” according to Jan Moss, Executive Director of NATSAP. “We seek to ensure the availability of a full range of options with accredited programs using credentialed professionals, the highest ethical standards, and principles of good practice,” Moss continued. “The programs and professional provider members of NATSAP are committed to working with states and
legislators by providing our leadership, expertise, and knowledge to prevent and address the quality and availability gaps in therapeutic programs for youth,” according to Dr. Jeffrey Nalin, Executive Director of ECHO MALIBU. “We are prepared to assist anyone interested in improving the lives of young people and their families,” he added.

Andrea Barthwell, M.D., former White House Deputy Drug Czar kicked off the activity at NATSAP’s annual meeting where she encouraged attendees to join forces with others who devote themselves to families’ needs for effective care and education of its young members. “H.R. 1738 is a bill to ‘End Institutionalized Abuse Against Children’ and intends to improve the quality of care in therapeutic settings serving our young people.

We need reform to eliminate programs that prey on desperate families while preserving vital components in the continuum of care.”