Integrity Inc. was founded 40 years ago in Newark, New Jersey by parole officer Dave Kerr to provide support for drug addicts. Integrity House, now known as, provides long-term residential and outpatient treatment programs for substance abuse and inmates. With locations in Newark and Secaucus, Integrity House treats over 500 individuals and supports hundreds more through outreach and alumni programs. Kerr states that more funding is needed for long-term residential care, case management, and mentoring after treatment to help reduce recidivism rates among those battling addiction.

1. Some of the definitions of integrity include: The
state or quality of being entire or complete; whole-
ness; moral soundness; honesty; freedom from cor-
rupting influence or motive.
It was on these principles 40 years ago last No-
vember that Integrity Inc. was founded in Newark by
parole officer Dave Kerr, who recognized the need
for a support system to help the many drug addicts
on his caseload.
Integrity, Inc., referred to as Integrity House, is
a carefully-managed, highly-effective Therapeutic
Community (TC) comprised of long-term residential
and outpatient treatment programs licensed by the
State of New Jersey to serve those with substance
abuse problems and pre-release inmates.
The majority of Integrity House’s programs have
attained the prestigious Commission on Accredita-
tion of Rehabilitation Services (CARF) accreditation
status. With two locations in New Jersey—Newark
and Secaucus, Integrity House is actively treat-
ing well over 500 individuals at any given time and
supporting hundreds more through outreach efforts,
mentorship and alumni activities. The organization
works to educate the community on the realities of
addiction and the true human and financial costs by
working with the Division of Addiction Services and
the criminal justice system, by conducting sympo-
siums, and by collaborating with local community
leaders.
Kerr says the state has been successful in reduc-
ing the prison population, but more has to be done
to increase treatment services for addicts. Approxi-
mately 70 percent of individuals leaving jail without
treatment relapse, while the recidivism rate for those
receiving treatment is only 30 percent. Kerr adds
that what is most needed is more long-term residen-
tial care services, follow-up and case management
and mentoring after the addict leaves treatment.
“There is real need in our state to treat more
addicts,” Kerr says. “Sixty-two of the 400 people
waiting for a bed at Integrity House are currently in
jail. Our cost is half what it costs to keep someone in
jail for one day, so it’s important that we look toward
more cost effective measures to treat addicts. Ad-
diction is very treatable, even relapse is treatable.”
Integrity House’s long-term recovery success
differs from most standard addiction services by
implementing a five-year TC model that empha-
sizes giving up the negative lifestyle and in its place
belonging to the TC and its structured, positive
aspects. Essential to long-term recovery, the model
also provides key support services including social
skills development, resolving legal issues, housing,
budgeting, parenting, job training, spiritual develop-
ment, relationship training and family reunification.
“We keep it real,” Kerr says. “There is no magic
pill, but at Integrity House we are helping people
get off drugs and back into a positive lifestyle. For
example, one woman who was in our program just
got a good paying job. We are helping turn lives
around.” NJB
David H. Kerr, president of Integrity House (center), recognizes
Integrity House alumni John Scott (left) and Deirdre Malloy
(right) at the Past, Present & Future Gala and 40th anniversary
celebration of Integrity House.
88 June 2009
BEFORE YOU GO
By Kevin Berrigan
Integrity Marks 40Years of Helping Addicts
A Publication of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association