Detox facility to open at Catholic Charities in City

TRENTON, N.J. — Citing a great need for another detox facility in Trenton, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, decided to start a program by the end of this year.

Lisa Thibault, communications manager at the Trenton nonprofit, recently quoted a news source that in 2015 there were nearly 128, 000 heroin addicts in New Jersey, and so the urgency for the program is necessary.

“The actual need is greater than the available programs,” she said.

In response to the epidemic of opioids abusers and other drugs users, Catholic Charities is opening the new ambulatory detox program that complements other resources for addiction and mental health recovery treatments at 10 Southard St. and North Clinton Avenue, Building 4, in Trenton.

“The addition of this new program, offering safe and cost-effective treatment for individuals seeking recovery from opioid and other substance dependence is much needed,” said Marlene Lao-Collins, executive director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton.

“In this area, there is a great unmet need for treatment, particularly opioids addiction,” Thibault emphasized.

She said Catholic Charities anticipates scaling up to meet the needs of the community.

The ambulatory detox program is the final component of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC).

Launched July 1, this is a federally sponsored initiative that integrates behavioral health services, substance abuse treatment, and primary care at Catholic Charities’ Trenton campus.

According to Susan Loughery, director of operations at Catholic Charities, the initiative has already produced measurable improvements in treatment outcomes.

“In just four months, consumers receiving care through CCBHC have seen an overall reduction in the need for hospitalization and improved access to integrated services,” she said.

The new detox program intends to fill the gap in the current array of addiction recovery services, said Thibault.

She said they believe there is much interest in this community-based and outpatient program, and patients will come in for treatment and then go home.

Thibault said Catholic Charities of Trenton is one of only seven community providers selected to participate in CCBHC.

They offer other programs that include:
• Comprehensive mental health services
• Addiction services
• Care coordination and navigation for primary medical services
• Services for children, and
• Comprehensive services for veterans

Catholic Charities plans to have a semi-private open house Nov. 28 from noon to 3 p.m. at the detox facility.

For more information about services or the detox program, call Catholic Charities access center number at (800) – 360- 7711.