Residents of Monroe County have a new resource to aid in fighting the opioid crisis.
On Thursday, local and state officials gathered to dedicate the new Open Access center. Located on University Avenue, it’s the only regional program to provide 24/7 walk-in and same day evaluations. Officials said it’s able to more quickly help users looking to kick their addiction.
“The goal of these new Open Access Centers is to expand access to treatment for everyone who needs it especially when they need it. Not when we say we’re ready to provide the service. That’s what’s critical,” said Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, Commissioner of New York’s Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
Previously, users wanting help would have to wait until a center opens, then go through evaluation and referral, which can take days. During this time, users are likely to abuse again. However, fast-tracking intake can reduce the chances they will, officials said.
“We also know treatment alone is not enough,” said Gonzalez-Sanchez, “Recovery supports have to be in place for people to succeed. By the end of this year we’ll have 14 recovery centers in New York State and there’s already one here in Rochester…two years ago we only had two and they were both downstate.”
Because of the opioid epidemic, Open Access primarily focuses on opiates and heroin but Carl Hatch-Feir, the president of Recovery Net, which spearheaded the center’s creation, said it’s for all addictions.
“While the impetus for this program was the opiate epidemic this doorway is available to anyone affected by addiction, whether it’s opiates or alcohol or other kinds of drugs. Whether it’s someone who’s caught up in adduction themselves or is a friend or family member seeking information or support,” he said.
Roughly 169 people died of opioid overdoses in Monroe County in 2016. Many of these deaths reportedly are related to fentanyl, a high-risk opioid. State Senator Joe Robach commended local health activists for their work with the center. He added he’d like to also target the people making the drug available.
“I think the people that sell this heroin mixed with Fentanyl that know there’s very good likelihood it’s going to kill people, to me, should be eligible for lifetime incarceration,” he said. “It’s long overdue. They are peddling and selling death to make profits for themselves.”
Robach’s statement highlights the collaborative nature advocates believe is necessary to truly target the epidemic, from harsher penalties on dealers to reduced barriers for access to treatment and a change in social stigma towards addiction. Gonzalez-Sanchez also mentioned youth-oriented centers that focus on young adults who abuse and Hatch-Feir mentioned quick life-saving methods like Narcan training.
“Success will take all of us but thanks to partnerships like this one we’re making significant progress,” said Gonzalez-Sanchez. “It seems like we’re fighting an uphill battle and no one more than me can say that. I live this every day but I feel that together, with partnerships like this and communities coming together, I think we will win this battle.
