Tompkins reflects on 30-year career
By LAURA THORNBURG
Staff
Should an individual be asked to summarize Mike Tompkins—the son of
Leo and Eula Mae Tompkins—in a single word, those who know him well
may say that word is "accomplished."
The 53-year-old Alleghany native says over his 34-year career, he has
worked his way from the lowest position in the field of substance
abuse to that of a licensed clinical addictions specialist, the
highest position in the field to date.
Tompkins credits boy scout troop leaders and former coaches, as well
as friends, co-workers and family for encouragement—that started as
early as his elementary years at Glade Creek School—which ultimately
led him up the professional ladder.
Summarizing his climb to the top of his profession, Tompkins said
simply, "I've been blessed. I wouldn't change anything in my
life..."
The Early Years
Speaking of his scouting years, Tompkins noted his troop leaders were
his father and Dennis Franklin.
"During that time, I feel like Dad and Mr. Franklin educated us in
how to be truthful in a lot of different ways, and they taught us a
lot about life. One quote that Mr. Franklin instilled in us scouts is
if you couldn't say something good about someone, just don't say
anything. I've tried to live up to that until this point."
As Tompkins got older, he became interested in sports and was
presented with the Most Outstanding baseball award at his eighth
grade graduation. He continued the love of sports into high school,
where his coaches were Bill Jarrett and Jimmy Maines.
"Their point wasn't whether we won the game or not, it's how we
played the game," Tompkins remembers. "They showed us how to
respect our fellow teammates and...how we should treat other people.
Personally, I guess that advice must have taken pretty good on me
because, on my graduation from Alleghany High School, I was very
fortunate to receive the Most Valuable Baseball Player, Most
Outstanding Athlete of the Year and the Blue Ridge Shoe award."
After graduation, he attended a summer session at Western Carolina
University and returned to Alleghany before traveling the country for
a year-and-a-half doing varied construction work.
First Years in the Business
In 1974, Tompkins learned of an outreach worker position available at
New River Mental Health Center. After applying, he was hired by
County Director Delane Scott. Upon his employment, Tompkins went to
Broughton Hospital for a six week training in the hospital's
alcohol and drug ward. The training continued when he was sent to
work three months for New River Mental Health in the detox center at
Wilkes General Hospital.
Upon his return, Tompkins was informed his duties had changed. "I
was a taxi for impaired people," he said. "My assignments would
come from the law enforcement center, the mental health center,
family members and the Department of Social Services (DSS)."
Tompkins noted his duties changed once again in 1976 or 1977, after
the mental health center and DSS had received grant monies to help
underprivileged people with medical needs. At that time, Tompkins was
asked to transport cancer patients to Wake Forest University Baptist
Medical Center in addition to his other duties.
"I would take cancer patients—which had to be there at 7:30 a.m.
five days a week—to Baptist, return to Alleghany about lunchtime,
then go back to work at the mental health center doing alcohol and
drug work. Also, the mental health center had a verbal agreement with
the local hospital.
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