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Dr. Peter Hayden's return to the United States after serving in Vietnam is, sadly, a tale many have heard before. The young man said he found himself back in Minneapolis without a home, no plan for his future and a drinking problem. And then, as Dr. Hayden says, God took over. A drinking-and-driving accident in front of a police station found him in treatment and while the 12 steps worked for him, he also noticed he was always the only person of color in the room. He wanted to change that.  

The Veteran now had a path forward. Dr. Hayden said used the G.I. Bill to help pay for his undergraduate degree and went to receive a master's in public administration and a doctorate in psychology. Then in 1976 he started Turning Point, an African American agency that focuses on providing culturally-specific substance use disorder treatment as well as housing and support services in North Minneapolis. 

To date, Turning Point has helped more than 24,000 people. 

Last month, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers announced that moving forward, the Diversity, Inclusivity and Racial Equity Award will bear his name. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Minnesota Now to talk about the honor. 

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Dr. Peter Hayden's return to the United States after serving in Vietnam is, sadly, a tale many have heard before. The young man said he found himself back in Minneapolis without a home, no plan for his future and a drinking problem. And then, as Dr. Hayden says, God took over. A drinking-and-driving accident in front of a police station found him in treatment and while the 12 steps worked for him, he also noticed he was always the only person of color in the room. He wanted to change that.  


Dr. Peter Hayden founded Turning Point in North Minneapolis in 1976. Earlier this year, the community leader was honored by the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers who announced that moving forward, the Diversity, Inclusivity and Racial Equity Award will bear his name. Dr. Hayden joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer for a conversation about finding his own sobriety and how that journey led him to create Turning Point, a pillar in the community that has helped more than 24,000 people. 

Founder of Turning Point honored with national recognition for work in addiction services

Lindsay Guentzel

After finding his own sobriety, Dr. Peter Hayden founded Turning Point in 1976 and was honored last month by the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers for his work in North Minneapolis. 

Turning Point founder honored with national recognition for his work in addiction services

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