CORNERSTONE

CORNERSTONE. Cornerstone, a drug contact house program at 197 Jackson, was established in July, 1971 and operated by Service and Fraternal, Inc., a non-profit corporation formed by Dubuque service clubs--especially the JAYCEES, with a five-member board of directors. Encouragement had initially come from the Dubuque Drug Abuse Prevention Coordinating Committee which had been created by the city manager. Operating funds came from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, United Way, Iowa Drug Abuse Authority and citizen and business contributors. The building was donated. (1) Jack Hanson, the director, indicated that the top priority was establishing a "crisis intervention" program for those with a drug-induced crisis. Counselors in such cases would help those suffering the immediate effects of drugs. Secondly, Cornerstone sought to establish a Crisis Line by telephone for those seeking assistance.

Offering round-the-clock counseling, Cornerstone's staff received weekly staff-training by Dr. Peter WHITIS, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and bi-monthly training sessions from staff members of the Dubuque Mental Health Center. (2)

In its first five months of full time operation, more than 1,000 persons had visited the center. Their visits were lined to 18 drug crises, six other crises including suicide attempts, 18 runaways, 22 "heavy raps" and general counseling, 5 medical referrals, 36 social referrals, and 360 general visits for people looking around. Cornerstone personnel talked to about 70 groups. (3) In addition, information-discussion meetings about drug abuse in Dubuque and the role of Cornerstone were help in the office on Jackson. (4)

Cornerstone closed on January 25, 1974 a victim of poor public image, management problems and a lack of funds and public support. The project had moved from Jackson Street to 721 Bluff St. The closing left the city without an anti-drug abuse agency for the first time in three years. (5)

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Source:

1. Brimeyer, Jack, "Cornerstone Reaches End of the Line," Telegraph-Herald, January 24, 1974, p. 1

2. Miller, Jim, "Three Projects Pegged for Anti-Crime Funds," Telegraph-Herald, January 27, 1972, p. 6

3. Brimeyer, Jack, "Cornerstone: A Year and a Day," Telegraph-Herald, January 16, 1972, p. 32

4. "Drug Abuse Discussions, Telegraph-Herald, January 4, 1972, p. 9

5. Brimeyer, "Cornerstone Reaches..."