Because the Freeborn County Chemical Dependency Center has been around since January 1972, the people who run it know the effects of an economic recession — nationally or locally.

Co-directors and counselors K and John Adamec and counselor Ron Gonzalez are ready for a busy 2009. They assess adults and children dealing with drug and alcohol problems for the Freeborn County District Court and refer them for appropriate levels of treatment and counseling.

Some people don’t need treatment. Some get treatment at various programs at the Freeborn County Chemical Dependency Center. Some are sent for treatment elsewhere, such as to the Fountain Centers of Albert Lea.

John Adamec said when the Farmland Foods meatpacking plant in Albert Lea burned down in July 2001 and nearly 500 people were out of work the initial impact on drug and alcohol cases was minimal, but as the unemployment lasted, as workers for nearly a year were unsure whether the plant would be rebuilt, the caseload grew.

The same trend happened when during other times of higher-than-normal unemployment, such as when Streater Inc. reduced its workforce or in times of national economic troubles, he said.

“We see more stress and we see more domestic violence,” John said.

John and K Adamec live soberly 24/7, and they say they don’t agree when people say they are bored in Albert Lea. They easily expound on the many things there are to do in Albert Lea. Here are 10 activities the Adamecs said they like to do, many of which are at Myre-Big Island State Park:

1. Cross-country skiing

2. Cinema

3. Cycling

4. Camping

5. Golf

6. Dining

7. Picnics

8. Aerobics

9. Walking

10. Photography

They said the present economic recession is not worse than troubles that came in the wake of the Farmland Foods plant burning. But they are expecting an increase in drug and alcohol cases through the court system.

“People are losing jobs,” K said.

John said they will work harder and longer as the caseload goes up, but they also will have to ration their time, which means less time with each client.

K works with children for the nonprofit organization, and she said they are scared about where parents are going to find income. He said there was a time when children abused chemicals mainly for acceptance. She said while some still do, these days she sees more chemical abuse to escape from their emotions and burdens.

She said many of the children are teenagers from single-parent families and low-income families. Many wonder how they will fare when they grow up.

John and K say they are bracing for the backlash of veterans returning from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as the United States likely will draw down its troops in those countries this year. They said they saw many alcohol and drug cases when Vietnam War soldiers came home.