Prostitution Help
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Updated: 10:56 PM Mar 28, 2006
Prostitution Help
Program helps give prostitutes a new life
A plan that would provide money for treatment programs for prostitutes will go through a final vote before the state legislature this week.
Posted: 8:57 PM Mar 28, 2006
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A plan that would provide money for treatment programs for prostitutes will go through a final vote before the state legislature this week.

The plan is designed to give prostitutes a new life.

One woman says she made easy money with guys of all walks of life looking for sex at any time of the day along Park Avenue in Omaha.

"I went from being responsible, to irresponsible," she said.

The woman says her once successful life slipped out of control.

"I went to college and a career, but unfortunately, alcoholism got the best of me," she said.

Her drinking turned into methamphetamine and crack cocaine drug abuse -- expensive habits.

"You'll go to any lengths to get that next hit -- you really will," she said. "I swore I would never do prostitution."

But she sold her body for three years to get that next hit.

"What you did was jump in a car, meet your trick, get your money out, buy your dope, then you're back in the car," she said. "It was a constant cycle. Every day, every day, every day."

The cycle stopped with a felony arrest for drug possession. The court ordered extensive treatment.

But when many people with similar problems are released form jail, they are released right back to the streets and back into the same old habits.

Mary Raynovich, of the Salvation Army, works to get prostitutes out of their illegal lifestyle through the Wellspring Program.

"It's incredibly gratifying to see someone who comes in at 100 pounds. We work some who have been strung out for years," Raynovich said.

Wellspring assesses each woman's needs and comes up with a plan which includes things like counseling or job assistance.

The Wellspring program is always looking for donations, such as clothing, including professional women's clothing.

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