Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

DAYTON-Blue Mountain Counseling recently added a substance use disorder/abuse counselor to their staff. Greg Hall comes from Yakima where he just retired from serving at the Veterans Administration. He said, “I love what I do. That’s why I came out of retirement to go back to doing it. It’s all about purpose…I found out a long time ago that the only service that human beings can offer one another is helping one another, so if we’re not doing that, what else are we doing? And that’s why this enticed me so much…I am proud to serve in whatever community I’m in.”

Hall was born in Kentucky and lived there for 40 years. He is a graduate from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis on addictions and recovery. He is certified in the State of Washington as a Substance Use Disorder Therapist. He also served in the Air Force for six years.

Hall has 17 years of experience treating substance abuse. He provides substance use assessments and works with those who can be helped with outpatient counseling and sometimes group therapy. He can also take on patients for their aftercare following detox and residential treatment. In some cases, the treatment may be court-ordered.

County Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack believes the resource of a substance abuse therapist is a productive move for the community, seeing much of what crosses his desk as a prosecutor linked to substance use issues. “I’m so glad we have this resource in our community–the majority, if not all, of the crimes I see cross my desk are caused by substance use issues, and treatment is a necessary part of the rehabilitative process,” said Slack. “I hope more people will take advantage of this service, preferably before their issues lead to crime; but it will certainly make resolution of criminal matters easier knowing that the defendants can get these services in town.”