An important community resource celebrated a half-century this week at a time when its services are very much needed.

The Ellen O’Brien Gaiser Center conducted open houses this week to honor its 50th anniversary. The center offers a powerful atmosphere in which those who are struggling can be among people who know from first-hand experience that one can come back from addiction.

Some say that necessity is the mother of invention. That’s a good explanation for the founding of the center, which was formed in 1970 by a man with a drug and alcohol problem who had a painting business and — in the interest of helping others — would gather local alcoholics to help him paint and take them to AA meetings.

Ellen Gaiser took over as director and grew the center from a grassroots effort to a business that contracts with insurance companies and is licensed.

“We believe recovery is possible for everyone,” said Linda Franiewski, who initiated separate housing and counseling for men and women during her tenure as director, and who is retiring.

Franiewski deserves credit for the great work she has done with the center, which was in bad financial shape when she took over 16 years ago. She is passing off a great organization to incoming director Joe Mahoney.

We’re glad to hear Mahoney note that one of his areas of focus for the center is increasing its on-site mental health services. Those services — and all of the resources offered by the center — will likely be in great need.

This week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that overdose deaths were on the rise in the state (by 16%) and across the nation (by 29%) during 2020.

That’s not too surprising, considering that most people were isolated for long periods of time during the coronavirus pandemic.

For some, that loneliness led to drug abuse, and some who had been trying to kick the habit likely relapsed. At the same time, the vital services that helped people stay off drugs and alcohol were either unavailable or only possible from afar through telehealth services.

So, we’re very glad to see the Gaiser Center still going strong. It provides such important services to the community.

Congratulations and thanks are in order for all who have made it the vital resource it continues to be after 50 years.

— NCD