For more than a year now we have been bringing you stories of survival, courage and at times despair in our break the cycle series. Our goal when we started this commitment was to educate and, more importantly, let people know there was hope and a community that cares.

We have covered everything from gang violence to domestic abuse. Now we are updating you on a local agency devoted to combating substance abuse. It was nearly a year ago that we told you about Akeela, a local non-profit that for 30 years has devoted all of their resources to combating one of our states worst statistics: we rank number one in the nation for the number of people abusing drugs and alcohol.

Last year, we told you about their mission, their goals

and challenges of serving so many who have big problems and no money. So where are they at now?

the stories this house could tell, almost all of success.

Over the years, Alaskans with addictions that have nearly robbed them of their lives, have called this place, Akeela House, home.

It can be scary, but I did it. And you know, I went through all the phases and now Im in the last phase before graduation. And it has changed my life a lot. This program has helped me immensely. I dont believe any other program is like this, said resident, Michelle Allen.

When we first introduced you to Allen a year ago, we also told you how the future of programs like Akeela are in jeopardy because of lack of funding. And while they are still here, offering their services free of charge to those that cant pay, their financial challenges havent changed.

I think there is very little recognition of how dramatically these programs have been cut over the last several years, and hence, no indication of how lacking in space we are for treatment. And I think thats a real problem, said executive director, Rosalie Nadeau.

It was a real problem then and its a bigger problem today. Nadeau says despite their

very lean budget, they have merged, purchased and are managing several new programs this year in hopes of serving more clients in need.

One of things thats not so positive is anytime you see those type of things happening, it means these are programs that are struggling, said Nadeau.

And we should also mention, Nadeau says in just one year, the state of health of many non-profits have taken a turn for the worse. She says its indicative of how the public and state have yet to truly make this problem of substance abuse a priority.

She also says there is a large misconception about using Medicaid for treatment. And while some can do that, she says the vast majority dont qualify, meaning their rehab bills fall on the non-profits pockets.

To contact Laura, call 907-273-3186.