THUGZ SETTLE INTO NEW HOOD

In just two weeks, the McMinnville branch of Thugz Off Drugz, a
residential recovery program for drug addicts and alcoholics, has
filled all 15 beds in its men's unit.

It still has some beds left across the street in its two women's
units, but they are filling fast as well.

The program, developed in Seaside two years ago by a recovered
addict, has a strict set of rules.

When a new resident comes in, he is assessed to determine if he's
ready for treatment. If so, his name and date of birth are forwarded
to the McMinnville Police, Yamhill County Sheriff's Office and
Yamhill County Community Corrections Department.

That allows law enforcement officers and parole and probation agents
to make sure no one accepting shelter from Thugz has a warrant out.
It also allows them to find such a person in a hurry should he flunk
a drug test or violate any local laws or terms of probation.

"If you're lollygagging around and dragging your feet, we're not
going to play games with you," said Thugz founder Alan Evans, who
visits the McMinnville centers three times a week. Officers are given
free rein of all three McMinnville residences, because Thugz has
nothing to hide, he said.

Addicts booking in with Thugz in hopes of kicking their habits are
required to submit to random drug testing, participate in a recovery
program on a daily basis and participate in daily residence hall meetings.

If they flunk a drug test, they forfeit their place in the program
and local law enforcement agencies are notified. It doesn't happen
very often, because addicts know going in that the rules are strict
and no exceptions are made.

No fraternization or communication is allowed between men and woman
involved in the program. If anyone violates that rule, or any other
of the basic rules laid down at the outset, he's gone.

Local supervisors Sean Navarre and Amos Johnson have already had to
show a few people the door.

Two addicts tested positive for drugs the morning after their
admission. In addition to evicting them, Thugz notified the county
parole and probation office, landing one of them in jail.

A third addict was asked to leave after he walked over to the women's
unit to talk to someone. The program has a zero tolerance for
male/female interaction.

The men's house has been furnished with an eclectic collection of
donated goods, including an aquarium featuring a pair of albino Oscars.

One room has been turned into recreation central. It features various
board games, a set of weights and a Macintosh computer dating back to
the late 1980s.

Upstairs a lanky 16-year-old with a set of hickeys on his neck and a
set of Narcotics Anonymous key chains on his belt has just arrived
from a treatment center in Roseburg.

His councilor told him about Thugz Off Drugz. Feeling he needed the
discipline, he had his parents drive him to McMinnville to enroll.

In a downstairs bedroom, 40-year-old Marvin Brown crouches on the
lower bunk of a set and strums his guitar.

He just arrived Monday, seeking help for addictions to alcohol and
cocaine. His fiancee had booted him out and he felt he was headed for
an early death if he didn't change his ways.

His addictions cost him custody and visitation rights with his two
children earlier. After his fiancee lost patience with him as well,
he realized he had to take action.

"I've been to some AA meetings but I was never serious," he said.

"I've lost the respect of my family and I've lost my self-respect.
I'm frightened out of my skin."

Brown has just been clean since Saturday, but it's a start. "I can't
imagine my life without my family," he said, tears welling in his eyes.

Thugz Off Drugz has gotten on its feet in McMinnville thanks to a
core group of two-dozen donors and volunteers. And none of them have
done more than Yamhill's Carol Pendergrass.

As the sun began to set Tuesday evening, she pulled up to the men's
house to unload a basketball hoop, set of bed linens and pair of table lamps.

"Carol and her father have been unbelievable," Evans said. "And Norm
Aldrich, he's amazing. He's been raising funds to help get the bills paid."

Evans said Thugz hopes to hold a town hall meeting in December to
formally introduce itself to the community. She said leaders want to
explain their program and share their hopes for success.

Two programs have been developed to give individuals or businesses a
more structured way to make tax-deductible contributions - adopt a
bed and adopt a utility.

For $325, a person or group can provide an indigent man or woman with
room and board in the program for 30 days. And for lesser amounts,
they can cover the cost of 30 days of a utility service - power,
water, sewer or garbage - at one of the three units.

Donations may be mailed to Thugz off Drugz, P.O. Box 508,
McMinnville, OR 97128. For more information, contact Evans at
contact_us@thugzoff drugz.com or 1-503-717-1425.