A DuBois non-profit will get a grant to treat heroin addicts.
The Clearfield-Jefferson Drug and Alcohol Commission will be one of 45 “Centers of Excellence” for opioid treatment, Governor Tom Wolf’s office announced recently.
The director here says they plan to offer two drugs, suboxone and vivitrol, also helping people addicted to pills. They do not plan to use methadone.
She says the original application was for $500,000, but they’re still waiting to find out from the Department of Human Services about how much money they’re being awarded.
“With the care management team, we’ll be ensuring that the person’s drug and alcohol, mental health, and then the other types of needs that that person has, that they are taken care of within that hub,” says CJDAC executive director Susan Ford.
Ford says they have about 30 people a year in their medication assistance program, and that could rise to 50 or 100 with the new funding. It’s set to start in January and run for one year.
Wolf’s office says they plan to spend more than $20 million in state and federal funds and help more than 5,000 people statewide.
Other centers announced in the first group were Alliance Medical Services in Johnstown, Crossroads Counseling Inc. to cover areas including Centre County, and Pyramid Health Care Inc. in Blair County.
Also in this second group was Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC in Pittsburgh, to cover counties including Blair County.
