Ribbon cut on new $2.7m men’s substance use treatment center
DENNISON (WTUZ) (Aug. 23, 2024) – The community is celebrating the completion of the area’s first publicly funded substance use treatment center for men.
A crowd gathered Thursday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Stillwater Crossing residential facility on Dudgeon Way.
ADAMHS Board member Mark Murphy says the center is designed to provide basic necessities for men in need of counseling, case management, crisis intervention, and resource development.
“When we think about what this really means and what it’s for. Let’s no lose sight of that. This is not just a facility. This is a home, perhaps temporarily, for men of all ages that are doing all that they possibly can to overcome, to seek restoration, support, and treatment,” said Murphy.
ADAMHS Board Director Natalie Bollon says Stillwater Crossing will be able to house 16 men at a time to support their transition to recovery. She says OhioGuidestone, which has over two decades of experience with residential treatment services, will run the facility.
“(They have) Grown their system of care of the past few years to make sure that prevention program is strong, that intervention is strong, that medicated assisted treatment is available, peer supports are available, recovery supports are available, and so this building is just brick and mortar and lights and walls if we don’t have a tremendous service provider,” Bollon said.
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Chief of Staff John Annarino says this will be the first of its kind in the area.
“This is the only men’s residential treatment facility within a thousand square miles. That means 200 men had to leave Tusc and Carroll counties to receive the care that they need. You have made a difference today,” said Annarino.
The center will be opening soon, though no exact date was given. Ohio Guidestone Vice President of Regional Operations Pam Trimmer says they are now seeking qualified staff.
“They do get very involved in the activities of the day with the residents. They provide recovery-focused services, twice a day. They’re making sure these folks are following the schedule and staying on track. It’s a very rigid schedule. They’re also sometimes in recovery themselves so they’re offering that peer support,” Trimmer said.
The 7,900-square-foot facility has a price tag of $2.7 million and features a laundry room, and individual or double bedrooms. Funding from the Tuscarawas County Commissioners and grants covered the cost.
