Virtual groundbreaking ceremonies were held Wednesday for Villa of Hope as the non-profit builds, what it described, as the first-ever detox and outpatient center in Monroe County.
The organization says in 2017, 1,700 people had to travel out of Monroe County for treatment because of a lack of available beds.
Chief Medical Officer Kim Sadwick said that Villa of Hope will be able to offer so much more to meet the needs of the community with the new facility to be built in the town of Greece.
"Now, when one of my patients needs a bed, I say, ‘let me walk you right over,’ and I can bring them right to that bed. I can give them help immediately,” Sadwick explained.
Monroe County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza spoke at the groundbreaking, noting that these new facilities will go a long way toward getting people the help, support and treatment they deserve. He said the investment in the new facilities represents hope.
"These valuable resources will go a long way toward helping those struggling with addiction to find their way, for the help, the support and the treatment that they so badly deserve," Mendoza said.
Officials say this project will address a growing need in the community, because 32% of county residents needing detox services had to go out of the county, and sometimes out of state, because of a lack of available beds.
The new facilities are expected to be completed by the fall.
