| Haymarket
Center was founded on New Year's Eve, 1975, by
long-time colleagues in the field of substance abuse,
Monsignor Ignatius McDermott (pictured on right) and Dr.
James West. It was named for its location, near Haymarket Square, where, in the last century, a clash between striking workers and police brought a profound change in society's attitude toward the working poor. The founder's goal here was to bring about as profound a change in the public perception of alcoholism. |
 Msgr. Ignatius McDermott |
| As Haymarket Center came into being, Illinois lawmakers had agreed to de-criminalize public drunkenness, opening the way to a new form of substance abuse treatment, the social-setting detox. Dr. West was to utilize this mode in later years as medical director of the Betty Ford Center, and the new treatment was welcomed by Monsignor McDermott and others tired of seeing alcoholics jailed repeatedly or sent to mental health facilities - with no treatment available for their addiction. |
Dr. James West |
| Housed initially in a brick structure at 12 South Peoria Street, Haymarket Center was a haven for those needing its services and, although urban renewal forced two early moves, a satisfactory location was found in 1985, at the corner of West Washington Boulevard and Sangamon Street. Here, the varieties of service began to expand, with the new Illinois Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse ready to provide funding for them. |
 Current Site |
| The McDermott
Foundation was formed soon after to support the McDermott
Center. More than $10 Million raised during the ensuing
decade financed structural improvements and renovation of
the six story, three building complex. The inclusion of women as clients in great numbers was to follow, and programs intended to benefit their children are today of crucial and growing importance. |
 Msgr. McDermott with clients' children |
