Haight Ashbury Free Clinics
Encyclopedia
The Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc. is a free health care
service provider serving more than 34,000 people in Northern California
. The organization was founded by Dr. David E Smith in Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, California
on June 7, 1967 during the counterculture of the 1960s
. As thousands of youth arrived in the city, many were in need of substance abuse
treatment, mental health
service, and medical attention. The clinic became the model for the modern form of the free clinic. The Clinics are currently composed of four core programs:
Free clinic
A free clinic is a medical facility offering community healthcare on a free or very low-cost basis in countries with marginal or no universal health care. Care is generally provided in these clinics to persons who have lower or limited income and no health insurance, including persons who are not...
service provider serving more than 34,000 people in Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
. The organization was founded by Dr. David E Smith in Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, California
Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, California
Haight-Ashbury is a district of San Francisco, California, named for the intersection of Haight and Ashbury streets. It is also called The Haight and The Upper Haight.-Location:...
on June 7, 1967 during the counterculture of the 1960s
Counterculture of the 1960s
The counterculture of the 1960s refers to a cultural movement that mainly developed in the United States and spread throughout much of the western world between 1960 and 1973. The movement gained momentum during the U.S. government's extensive military intervention in Vietnam...
. As thousands of youth arrived in the city, many were in need of substance abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
treatment, mental health
Mental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
service, and medical attention. The clinic became the model for the modern form of the free clinic. The Clinics are currently composed of four core programs:
- Medical clinics
- Substance abuse treatment services
- Jail psychiatric services
- Rock medicine: on-site medical services for public events and concerts