The Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (JACOA) strives to provide a safe, clean environment for individuals to begin their journey to recovery. The program philosophy of JACOA related to substance abuse/use/co-occurring disorder treatment and recovery support services is based on the following:
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Alcoholism and drug addiction are a disease and are treatable
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Alcohol and drug abuse problems are spread through all sub-groups of the population and all socioeconomic categories
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A comprehensive program for co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders must be planned and operated to meet the specific needs of the area population and be both visible and accessible to all persons without regard to age, race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic level or other individual characteristics
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A variety of treatment methods and approaches must be used and the program must be flexible in order to meet the treatment needs of each service recipient
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Continuity of care is essential to an effective alcohol and drug treatment services approach
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A total needs approach is needed in the delivery of services to both the recipient and his/her family
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Treatment is geared toward enhancing the integrity and dignity of the individual served. Areas of service intervention include assistance with life skills development, education on the addictive disease and related recovery and therapeutic intervention with both group and individual counseling.
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Treatment is client focused. JACOA's treatment program provides some gender specific groups.
Our Mission
The mission of JACOA is to provide the highest quality of care possible to people who are suffering from substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health disorders in an environment that preserves and promotes the dignity of the persons served without regard to race, color, creed, gender, economic or social circumstance, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Our Vision
The vision of JACOA is to be reposed to the ever changing and dynamic needs of our community environment to treat and prevent the diseases of addiction and drug abuse through services to all people, with programs and services that improve the quality of life of the individual and our society.
Our History
JACOA was chartered in the summer of 1964 as The Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism by three local citizens who saw the growing need for substance abuse treatment in the community. The founders were Nancy Tuchfeld, a local housewife, Frank Moore, a physician, and Sam Bergel, a local businessman. Together, they decided to hire a recovering alcoholic, Robert Aspell, as the first Executive Director of the council. The charter was amended in 1970 to add the descriptive words "And Drug Dependency" to its official name. In the 1980's JACOA moved to its present location on East Chester Street, and began to offer residential treatment for men and women. At the present time JACOA has 106 beds in Treatment and Transitional services, and continues to serve all the counties of West Tennessee.