CAMBRIDGE CITY — A tool in the fight against drug addiction is on the way to western Wayne County after officials with Recovery Works of Pinnacle Treatment Centers broke ground on a treatment facility Friday.
Recovery Works is a Kentucky-based treatment company with sites in Georgetown, Elizabethtown and Mayfield in the Bluegrass State that is opening its first Indiana location along Indiana 1 just north of Interstate 70.
“Unfortunately, there is a need for this center because of the epidemic of opiate use,” said Pinnacle CEO Joe Pritchard. “This geographical area of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky ranks number five for opiate use. The number of opiate-related deaths since August is staggering and it’s a problem that won’t go away. This is an issue that affects every part of our lives from criminal activity to what is happening with emergency agencies.”
Even with the issues, this area is fortunate because the state and local governments are really trying to make an effort to combat the epidemic and they’re looking for good providers to come in, he said. The county has welcomed the company with open arms.
“You’re also fortunate because you have a network of providers in this area that are working together everyday trying to find a solution,” he said. “Hopefully we will be an extension of what is already established here providing a very good, comprehensive network of services.”
This current epidemic is like nothing seen before for those in the business, he said. Compared to treatments during the heroin outbreak 35 years ago, today there are many individuals that start out on pain medications that find financial relief by going to heroin. Heroin is a lot more potent today, a lot cheaper and readily available.
The local treatment center will just be a part of the area’s drug treatment effort, Pritchard said. This facility will be a 32-bed, residential treatment center for adults 18 or older. The average stay will be 21-28 days and be under constant medical supervision. There will also be services for the families of those being treated.
It will not be a methadone clinic. In the future, the facility may offer outpatient counseling, he added. If there are existing programs in the community, the facility will work with them.
“Because this affects body, mind and spirit, we know we’re only going to be able to do so much,” he pointed out. “It’s important that when an individual leaves, they are integrated back into a community of support. Everything from 12-step support programs like Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, to working with community mental health agencies, community outpatient programs, whatever is available that’s appropriate for their continued care, we will refer them. It will be a joint effort.”
He promised to work closely with the local communities and “Do what we say and say what we will do.” He promised to hire local residents and purchase from local vendors as much as possible. The clients will come from within an hour or two drive.
Wayne County Commissioner Mary Ann Butters thanked Pritchard and his team for choosing Wayne County for the sorely needed treatment facility.
“As ground is broken today, you are planting the seeds of hope for those who enter and who will recover from addictions that threaten their very lives,” she said. “Addictions have ravaged this region for years, and for choosing Wayne County as the site for your expansion, we are grateful.”
Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County President Valerie Shaffer said her colleagues in the three Kentucky communities where Recovery Works has facilities are very supportive of the company from their services to the upkeep of the facilities and their involvement in the communities.
“Their presence here will certainly provide a very sophisticated treatment operation that we are in dire need of in this area,” she said. “Of course, I’m very excited about the potential of 50 new, good-paying jobs for this region.”
Cambridge City Town Council President Mark McCarty said the facility is needed given that in nearby Fayette County, officials are talking about implementing a needle exchange program. The facility is coming at a good time.
“It’s fun to see the visible part of this project because I know there have been a lot of things going on behind the scenes with a lot of meetings and planning,” said Beth Leisure, president of the Cambridge City Chamber of Commerce. “It’s nice to see this actually happen, I look forward to the ribbon cutting.”
Whisenhunt Construction of Richmond will build the facility, starting very soon, Pritchard said. The facility will open in early 2016 with hiring coming later this year.
“We take building a program, very, very, very, very seriously,” he said. “Most of us with Pinnacle have been doing this a long time and have been personally affected. People coming in have a right to have a good, professional environment that shows dignity and respect in the care we give. This community deserves a state-of-the art, top-notch program.
“I judge a program like this, ‘Would I want to send a loved one to the program?’ Hopefully after you have a chance to work with us, if you are in a place you need this service, hopefully the first place you will call is Recovery Works.”
A program cost has been estimated at $13,000 which must be paid through insurance or personal finances.
Jerry Lucas, regional director of business development, promised Recovery Works will be good neighbors to the community.
“We’ll be here for a long time,” he said.
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