We are pleased to announce we are now known as Northpointe Council, Inc. Over these years the Council has responded to the changing face of addiction by revising its mission and developing new services to meet the many new challenges of today’s world. The Board of Directors would like the community to have a better understanding of who we are today. As the name of the organization no longer represents the diverse services we provide, the Council’s Board decided it was time to change the name of our organization. We are very excited about this change in the history of the agency and are most pleased to announce effective immediately our new name is Northpointe Council, Inc. As Northpointe Council Inc. we will continue to explore new methods of meeting the challenges our community faces and respond to its human service needs through caring, professional, prevention, referral and treatment services. We will continue to address the consequences of addiction with new and better programs for many more years to come.

The Northpointe Council, Inc. is a not-for-profit human service organization governed through its Board of Directors and membership. The Council has been involved in education, counseling, treatment, emergency, and special services since its inception in 1970.

The agency is funded through the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Niagara County Department of Mental Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Niagara County STOP DWI Program, Niagara County Youth Bureau, The United Ways of Eastern Niagara, Niagara and the Tonawandas and through contributions from organizations and individuals in the community. The Council is an affiliate of the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, Inc.

The Council offers a wide range of specific and affiliated services through its inter-related programs. These services are provided to individuals, families, companies, schools, and the community. It's programs networking together form a continuum of care and services for individuals. These services are further enhanced with other alcohol and substance abuse services in the community. This forms a complete service delivery system focusing on prevention, intervention, and treatment. Each program of the Council is an important linkage and is vital in this delivery system. The Council's programs are described herein.

There are more deaths, illnesses and disabilities from chemical dependency than from any other preventable health condition. Of the more than two million deaths each year in the United States, approximately one in four is attributable to alcohol, tobacco, or the use of other substances.

The cost of chemical dependency to society is high, costing billions of dollars each year. It often results in family violence, child abuse, homicides, assaults, robberies and traffic fatalities. More than fifty percent of inmates incarcerated and crimes committed are related to chemical dependency abuse.

There is no "typical" alcoholic or drug addict. Chemical dependency affects people of all socio-economic groups and backgrounds. It does not discriminate by sex, age, education, social standing or occupation.

The process of becoming drug or alcohol dependent is complex and is related to a number of factors, including the addictive properties of the substance, family and peer influences, personality, cultural, and social factors.

The preferred and successful solutions to chemical dependency are prevention, early identification and intervention. Recovery is achieved through chemical dependency treatment and involvement in self-help groups.