Clatsop Community College
1653 Jerome, Astoria OR 97103
For immediate release
Contact: Bill Pierson (503) 338-2336

CCC to Provide GED Program at Thugz Off Drugz

In another partnership aimed at meeting identified community needs, Clatsop Community College has signed a contract this week to provide GED classes on site at the Thugz Off Drugz addiction treatment facility in Seaside. A teacher hired by CCC will instruct the classes starting April 28 in a newly built onsite classroom at Thugz Off Drugz.

“The GED program arose from a need to be able to provide a resource for people with no resources, including education,” said Thugz Off Drugz founder and director Alan Evans. “Adding an educational program will be a wonderful asset to our participants, and we have a handful of people excited to start.”

While most of the program participants will come directly from the recovery facility, Evans said that there are also Thugz alumni, people who have successfully completed the program, who are interested in the GED class as well.

While this program will provide instruction and resources like any standard GED program, what makes it especially valuable to Thugz Off Drugz is that it will be available entirely onsite.

“As a recovering addict myself, I can tell you that for me to come off the street with a broken life and go into a classroom is uncomfortable,” Evans said. “Having it onsite is more comfortable. Let me put it this way—not only have I beaten myself up, but I don’t want to feel judged.”
US Bank is providing the initial funding for the program, though Thugz Off Drugz has applied for several grants to cover the cost in the future. Wauna Federal Credit Union has provided assistance with classroom instructional equipment.

“We think this is just the tip of the iceburg,” said Bill Pierson, Director of CCC’s Adult and Family Literacy program. “As we get this established, the need for services will expand.”
CCC is also teaming up with Thugz Off Drugz to establish a Lives In Transition course at the Seaside facility.