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Duane Dean Behavioral Health Center is a non-profit, community based organization that has provided alcohol and substance treatment to individuals of this community and surrounding regions since 1972.
The center was founded as an inpatient facility by M. Duane Dean, a pharmacist, who was one of the first local individuals to recognize the need for substance treatment in this community.
The program, first named the Kankakee Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Center, was initially located on the grounds of Shapiro Developmental Center (formerly known as Kankakee State Hospital) and was manned by volunteers who provided treatment, guidance and supervision. Medication administration was provided by licensed personnel.
Mr. Dean’s vision and commitment to the treatment of the disease of addiction caused substance issues to be discussed openly in the community without the usual fear and stigma associated with substance addiction. He worked tirelessly to promote drug abuse awareness, but more importantly, he promoted treatment services for persons who suffered from drug and alcohol addiction.
Mr. Dean dedicated more than a decade of his life to drug and alcohol addiction issues. He was a one man army in his commitment to establish a treatment program. He recruited a staff of volunteers and together they redecorated the cottages at the mental health center, which housed the program.
Mr. Dean used his personal funds to purchase furniture and provide food for the patients enrolled in the program. When necessary, he acted as the plumber and carpenter, and would always locate the resources needed to keep the program open.
The program has had several name changes. The agency was renamed the Duane Dean Behavioral Health Center in his honor.
This agency continues the belief that M. Duane Dean held, that alcohol and substance abuse is a public health problem and the lives of individuals who are addicted and their families can be positively impacted by quality treatment provided by trained professionals.
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