Gateway Foundation CEO Discusses K2, Spice, Artifical Marijuana And Demi Moore On WLS Radio
CHICAGO, January 28th 2012
Michael Darcy, President and CEO of Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment, was a featured guest on WLS radio with hosts Nick Tzitzon and Jack O'Malley. Darcy discussed the apparent relapse and emergency hospitalization of movie star Demi Moore in Los Angeles last week.
According to news reports including "Nightline" on ABC, Moore had been in recovery for an unspecified period of time for substance abuse. 9-1-1 calls made from her home were publicly released and were commented on during the interview. The calls suggested Moore was using "Spice" or K-2, a synthetic form of marijuana, perhaps in combination with alcohol or other drugs and was conscious but in danger of convulsions.
Mr. Darcy discussed the prevalence of multi-combination drug use and the importance of underlying issues, like the apparent break-up of Moore's marriage and the recent loss of her long time sponsor. "This sort of "artificial" marijuana use is increasingly seen at Gateway Foundation's treatment centers which are located throughout Illinois. K2 and Spice can be attractive to some users because of its modest cost and resistance to traditional drug screening tests," stated Michael Darcy.
Jack O'Malley, a former judge and Cook County State's Attorney, praised Gateway Foundation's work and Michael Darcy's contributions to alcohol and drug treatment. As an expert in understanding the problems associated with substance abuse, Mr. Darcy also discussed how K2 differs from marijuana and the particular dangers it poses for both the individual using it and the treatment center. He explained that while K2 is now illegal in Illinois as of January 1st, it remains legal and easily accessible in more than 30 states nationwide and he emphasized that Gateway sees this sort of multi-drug combination with increasing frequency.
Michael J. Darcy - President and CEO
Mr. Darcy began his career in 1967 working in New York's Greenwich Village as an outreach worker helping teens and young adults who were abusing alcohol and other drugs find their way out of addiction. In 1969, he was asked to come to Chicago to work at Gateway Foundation, one of 6 new drug treatment initiatives funded by the Illinois Department of Mental Health and organized under the auspices of the University of Chicago's Department of Psychiatry.
In 1985, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Darcy President and CEO after serving in the positions of Treatment Center Director, Area Director, Program Director and Executive Director reporting to the President.
Mr. Darcy received his undergraduate degree, concentrating in Social Work, from Chicago's Roosevelt University and his Master of Management (MBA) from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Business.
About Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment
Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment is Illinois' largest provider of substance abuse treatment, providing services for adolescents and adults at treatment centers throughout the state. As an organization, Gateway Foundation has treated over 425,000 people and currently helps more than 29,000 individuals a year reclaim productive healthy lives.
