The floodwaters may  be long gone, but some  people still feel adrift

MUSCATINE, Iowa — Help is available for Muscatine County residents still feeling overwhelmed by the 2008 flood or other natural disasters.

Unity Healthcare New Horizons recently received a $19,360 grant to help prevent substance abuse in connection with natural disasters and to treat flood survivors who are struggling with substance abuse or other issues.

Unity Healthcare New Horizons Director Paula LeVasseur said for the past year many of the flood victims have been in survival mode. Their focus has been on finding shelter, repairing their homes and filling out the forms required to get help from organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“As they get farther and farther away from the actual event, and those things seem to fall into place, then the stress really hits them,” she said.

People without good coping mechanisms may find themselves turning to cigarettes, alcohol or narcotics. They may also turn to food or gambling to cope with the stress.

LeVasseur said the grant will help her agency identify people who are struggling and develop programs to fit their needs.

“The reality is they are not alone,” she said. “There are other people who still feel the same way.”

New Horizons wants to reach both individuals and families impacted by the floods. Stress caused by natural disasters can have a profound affect on children.

“Children who are exposed to severe stress may be more vulnerable to alcohol and drug use, depression, anxiety and impulsive behavior,” said Kim Mills, substance abuse prevention coordinator at New Horizons. “This funding will help provide targeted

supportive services to individuals and families affected by last year’s disasters.”

Warning signs in children include a change in sleeping patterns, a change in eating, a change in friends and dropping grades. Adults may be irritable and find themselves spending more time alone, sleeping more and missing deadlines at work.

The Unity Healthcare New Horizons grant is part of a $2.7 million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Social Services Block Grant being administered by the Iowa Division of Public Health Division of Behavioral Health.

New Horizons’ efforts will tie into a statewide campaign to decrease alcohol and drug use related to weather disasters and on-going stress. The campaign includes television and radio advertisements and billboards advertising a toll-free number people can call to get help: 800-447-1985. Callers will then be referred to a program in their county.

More infoFor more information, Muscatine residents can contact New Horizons

at 563-264-9409 or 800-447-1985