Whitley Superior Drug and Alcohol Program says farewell to longtime director Scott Kruse
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Scott Kruse, longtime director of the Whitley Superior Court Drug and Alcohol Program, celebrated his final days with the program Thursday. From left, above, is Jill Snyder, Bryan House, Scott Kruse, Sharlene Meslo and Julie Jensen-Kelley. Jensen-Kelley will become the program’s new director on Monday.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
After seven years of watching the Whitley Superior Court Drug and Alcohol Program grow, walking away will be difficult for director Scott Kruse.
Kruse, who initially helped build the department, spent his last day at the helm of the program today before leaving for new career horizons. 
On Thursday, coworkers celebrated Kruse’s involvement in the program over the years with a small reception in their offices in the upper level of the Work Release Center building. Approximately 30 people turned out for the event.
Kruse’s pride in the program is evident.
“It has been rated one of the top programs of its kind in the state,” Kruse said Thursday, adding that he feels staff who work diligently with their clients are responsible for making the program as successful as it is.
“I believe that we have a staff that is driven to help our clients overcome their addictions,” Kruse said. “They are all pretty creative at taking it one person at a time.”
The program has been so successful in helping people overcome alcohol and drug addiction issues, it has become a resource for other similar programs in other areas.
“A lot of programs turn to us for direction and assistance as a referral source,” Kruse said.
Originally housed in a suite on
Line Street, the Whitley Superior Court Drug and Alcohol Program moved to the Work Release Building in September 2006.
As Kruse is leaving the program, program staff member Julie Jensen-Kelley will become the new director of the Whitley Superior Court Drug and Alcohol Program on Monday, September 29.
Prior to developing the program, Kruse had been the director of the Bowen Center in Columbia City for several years.
“I’ve been here in the community since 1995,” Kruse said, adding that leaving the community will be bittersweet for him.
“It’s been a privilege and an honor to work with Judge (Michael) Rush,” Kruse said.
“I’ll be sure to keep in touch with the wonderful Whitley County family,” he added. “It’s been an awesome ride to be here and they are truly like family.”
Kruse will become the supervisor of social work at the VA Hospital in Fort Wayne.