As the opioid epidemic continues to impact individuals, families and the community, Bradford Regional Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Services Department will expand its detoxification services to include opiate withdrawal management.

This service expansion allows for ongoing collaboration with substance use treatment providers and primary care physicians to provide local and surrounding communities with a missing level of care.

“Providing this service will increase the probability of an individual getting the necessary treatment for opioid withdrawal, knowing we have services in their own community,” said Jackie Shine-Dixon, system director of behavioral health services, Upper Allegheny Health System.

“BRMC will offer alcohol and opioid withdrawal management for up to six individuals under the direction of the Behavioral Health Services Department, effective Feb. 13,” she said.

“Behavioral Health Services at BRMC has been an important community resource for nearly 40 years,” said Timothy Finan, president, chief executive officer, BRMC, Olean General Hospital and UAHS. “The opioid epidemic is destroying lives. We are pleased to be able to expand the scope of our services to address this troubling and growing concern.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. From 1999-2017 more than 700,000 people have died from a drug overdose. Around 68 percent of the 70,200 overdose deaths involved an opioid. This rate is six times higher than it was in 1999.

“Bradford Regional Medical Center and Olean General Hospital are concerned,” Finan said. “Those struggling with addiction risk death each and every time they use. Families are devastated and children are put at an increased risk for their own substance abuse. We are hopeful this expansion of services will help make a difference across the region.”

For more information, call 814-362-8319.