Northeast Louisiana Substance Abuse Agency (NELSA) will soon make Room 105 in the courthouse their new home. In 2023, Louisiana received $325M from a major opioid settlement to be dispersed over an 18-year period. Louisiana allocated 80 percent of these funds to each local parish governing body, and 20 percent to local sheriffs. Judge John Reeves and Judge Kathy Johnson have been advocating for treatment in their Judicial District for several years. Both Judges addressed the jury in August and saw this opioid settlement funding as an opportunity to bring NELSA and treatment to the 7th Judicial District to combat opioid addiction and substance abuse disorders. The Catahoula Parish Police Jury agreed and voted to award their $60,000 a year settlement to NELSA.
Remodeling is under way and should be completed soon. President Harold Sones stated, “For years, the closest location for court ordered counseling has been in Franklin Parish. I believe their services will help fight drug addiction in our parish. It worked out well that we can provide ample office space in the courthouse for their services, and we are looking forward to helping them get moved in. “
Gloria Wright, Executive Director of NELSA said, “We have been attending court in Catahoula Parish the last few weeks and are working on getting the office downstairs ready. We have received several court referrals and have completed one assessment for substance abuse treatment as of this date. The classes we plan to teach will begin as soon as they give us a go ahead to move into our office.”
NELSA is a 501(c)3 non-profit entity, meaning that all funds received go towards providing services for the communities served. No profits go to outsiders or third parties who do not provide services. The Board of Directors of NELSA serves without payment. In addition, financial records are audited annually by a certified public accountant and a 990tax return is filed annually.
Northeast Louisiana Substance Abuse Agency is currently licensed by the Department of Health and Hospital as an Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment facility. In addition to NELSA’s expertise in addiction, the office has strived to create a one-stop shop for local court systems. To achieve this goal, staff not only have obtained certifications in the field of addiction, but also are certified in Parenting, Anger Management, Batterer’s Intervention (BIP) and Drug Screening for civil and criminal proceedings. This training covers all ages, beginning with the age of culpability which is ten years of age. These services can be utilized through order of the civil or criminal courts, employer/ community referral, or Department of Children and Family Services.