MyHomeIncfinal

“There’s the issue of diversity that comes up often, and there’s a lack of cultural programming. But when we look at many of these programs and what they offer, even in regards to funding, there are just identifiable areas that lead to a lesser quality of treatment than those of other races.” - Hosie Thurmond

Identifying Disparities within Counseling for African - Americans

H osie Thurmond is a licensed social worker who became affiliat- ed with My Home Inc. through a group of mutual friends. He has worked in the Twin Cities for about 15 years, specifically with the area’s homeless population. He soon began working with single mothers, and for the last four years, he has worked with the senior popu- lation. He is currently completing coursework to obtain a master’s degree and become a licensed professional clinical counselor. In all the areas of his work, however, Thurmond says he has noticed significant challenges pertaining to the African-American population regarding ways in which these individuals are often underserved in the area of drug and alcohol treatment and mental health. “There’s the issue of diversity that comes up often, and there’s a lack of cultural programming. But when we look at many of these programs and what they offer, even in regards to funding, there are just identifiable areas that lead to a lesser quality of treatment than those of other races.” He referenced the more frequent use of methadone, instead of Suboxone, for treating dependence on opioids. While both medicines are used in treat- ment facilities, methadone is used more often in those with lower funding that often serve minority populations. “A big reason for that is based around insurances and money. Methadone is much cheaper, and there are only a certain number of doctors in the state who are certified to give out Suboxone.” Thurmond says the majori- ty of these doctors practice in upper and upper-middle-class areas. “If a client is able to find a doctor who can prescribe Suboxone, there’s also the issue of having insurance good enough to allow them to afford it.” Methadone is highly addictive and can have severe withdrawal symp- toms, increasing the difficulty of separating from the medicine when the client has reached that point in their recovery. Suboxone, however, is easier to gradually separate from and has lower rates of severe with- drawal symptoms than methadone. The differences between these two drugs and the variances in their use between communities contribute to

the disparities in treatment within the Afri- can-American community.

Outside of the arena of medications used for treatment, Thurmond says there is a lack of cultural competency among providers and counselors that stems from growing qualifica- tions needed to work in the field. “There needs to be more recruiting or exposure toward these fields in the schools that are in black com- munities. Additionally, the degree needed to be a chemical dependency counselor used to only require two years of schooling. Many programs are now requiring at least four years of schooling to be considered for a position. For people who may already have an interest in working in the field, they will now have to also consider paying for those additional years of schooling. I know a lot of people who are in recovery themselves who have expressed interest in wanting to give back once they get themselves clean.” To counter what could be setbacks in increasing the field’s diversity and effective treatment for African Americans, Thur- mond says programs must consider the great significance cultural competency plays in con- necting with clients and examine the effects of structures and requirements within the field of counseling. To credit the work of the My Home Inc. founder and staff, Thurmon says the pro- gram has held an active role in the community as a culturally competent establishment for men of color, including within Ramsey County and at the adult detention center.