The Development of The Crossroads Program
Crossroads was originally called the Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP) and began as a nonprofit Enthusiastic Approach, 12-step support group for young people and parents in 1982.
In 1983, Frank Szachta sobered up in PDAP and later moved to Phoenix to become a counselor. Frank moved back to St. Louis in 1986 to become the director, during this time the program’s name changed to The Crossroads Program.
In 1991, The Crossroads Program became a privately owned enthusiastic approach treatment program. The program continued to offer a support group for young people and parents.
Initially after the change, the Crossroads staff began to notice that the members of the support group who had either never went to treatment, or whose parents were not involved were the ones most likely to negatively pull on the other member. Because of this realization, the decision was made to make Crossroads strictly a treatment center that offers a support group after treatment. Parental involvement also was made a requirement of treatment.
In the late 80’s and early 90’s, we began to notice that an official graduation for each member was needed. Because young adult drug abusers typically have a hard with change and saying goodbye, we began to incorporate other graduates to help bridge the gap between Crossroads and other self-help programs like Alcoholics Anonymous. We began hosting graduations two to three times a year on an as-needed basis.
As we held more graduations, each group of young people eagerly awaits each Crossroads graduation to this day. The graduates will attend 4-6 meetings with our soon-to-be graduates. They make suggestions of what to do and what not to do. During this process, Crossroads encourages the soon-to-be graduates to attend 90 meetings in 90 days. We explain that just because they are graduating does not mean that they have to be a stranger to Crossroads. We often rely on graduates to help with major functions and graduates are always welcome at the office. Also, all sober graduates are invited to attend our annual gratitude meeting.
In 2007, Frank Szachta moved to Colorado and began directing The Cornerstone Program. At this time Mike Weiland become director of The Crossroads Program. In 2017, Mike retired from counseling after 26 years and Amy Weiland became the program’s Executive Director.