“The opioid crisis was an issue before the pandemic, and the need for addiction services is even more desperate now. The Washington State Department of Health said overdose deaths accelerated during the pandemic, jumping 38% in the first half of 2020. And most of that came from deaths involving fentanyl.
Susan Mitchell, a nurse practitioner withIdeal Option, is hopeful her team that specializes in opioid addiction treatment will reach more people with their new location —inside a Safeway in Vancouver.
By having addiction treatment accessible in a grocery store, she said it removes barriers and breaks down stigma, and makes getting help visible and accessible during everyday errands.
“What I will never grow tired of hearing is, ‘Thank you for saving my life,’” Mitchell told KOIN 6 News. “We had one fella who was just in tears because for the first time in so many years he was able to spend holiday with his family. He’d either been in prison or deep in his addiction. So it’s helping families reconnect.”
The Safeway on East Mill Plain Boulevard and Andreesen Roadis the location offering Ideal Option a private space for addiction treatment. It’s open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is located next to the pharmacy inside Safeway….”
View the whole story here: https://www.koin.com/local/clark-county/safeway-ideal-option-team-to-break-addiction-stigma/amp/