GCASA will establish new methadone clinic to help people with opioid addictions
BATAVIA – The state announced today it is giving $820,000 to establish a methadone clinic in Batavia that will be open to people fighting opioid addictions in Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming counties.
The methadone clinic will have room for 150 people at the outpatient clinic. It will be located at 430 East Main St. and includes an 1,100-square-foot addition.
The site will work with patients who are chronically addicted and haven’t had success using Suboxone to fight heroin and prescription drug addictions, said John Bennett, executive director of Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
GCASA took the lead on the project after seeing a rise in opioid addictions locally, including many fatal overdoses. Many local patients have been driving to Rochester or Buffalo daily to receive treatment at methadone clinics.
Bennett said the clinic in Batavia will take 12-14 months to get ready, which includes new construction and developing the program. He expects the site will begin seeing patients in February-March 2018.
It will help people battling addictions, and should also reduce crime in the community because many people with opioid addictions will commit burglaries and larcenies trying to feed their drug addictions.
“These are people already in our community struggling with drug addiction, heroin or prescription medication,” Bennett said today.
The methadone clinic will provide medicine and counseling for patients, as well as structured activities, Bennett said.
The $820,000 for GCASA is part of $8.2 million announced today by Gov. Andrew Cuomo for eight addiction treatment providers, serving 600 people total.
“This administration continues the fight against opioid and heroin addiction and this funding will help ensure more New Yorkers will get the help they need to get on the road to recovery,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement. “These new beds will help change lives and save lives, and bring us one step closer to a stronger and healthier New York for all.”
