HCN News & Notes

Behavioral Health Network Launches New Opioid Treatment Program in Orange

ORANGE — Behavioral Health Network (BHN) has partnered with the Community Health Center of Franklin County (CHCFC) to help those struggling with opioid dependence. The new Orange Opioid Treatment Program is located at 119 New Athol Road, Suite 210, at a co-location within CHCFC’s newest facility.

The two-building, 22,000-square-foot health center provides medical and dental care and nutritional advice along with behavioral-health and substance-abuse treatment.

BHN’s Orange Opioid Treatment Program provides methadone treatment for individuals 18 and older, seven days a week, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a holistic approach to the treatment of substance-use disorders.

The clinic is open Monday to Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and dosing hours are Monday to Friday, 5:45 a.m. to noon, and Saturday and Sunday, 7 to 10 a.m. CHCFC will continue to offer buprenorphine and injectable naltrexone to aid those in recovery.

Methadone is a medication approved by the FDA to treat opioid-use disorder. When taken as prescribed, methadone is safe and effective and helps individuals achieve and sustain recovery and reclaim active and meaningful lives.

“BHN is extremely pleased to be partnering with CHCFC to provide this much-needed and life-saving service,” BHN President and CEO Steve Winn said. “Opioid addiction continues to plague our communities, and the new Orange clinic allows BHN to provide more access to medication-assisted treatment to more people in need of assistance.”

Dr. Ruth Potee, medical director for substance-use disorders at BHN, noted that “this will be the first rural methadone clinic in the state. Methadone is one of the most effective treatments for opioid-use disorder. We are pleased the patients and families in North Quabbin now have ready access to this life-saving medication.”

CHCFC CEO Allison van der Velden added that “we are very excited to partner with BHN’s Opioid Treatment Program. The Community Health Center is dedicated to lowering barriers for people so they can access the full scope of health services and support that they need. Whether entering care through CHCFC or BHN, patients will have better access to the services of both partners.”

For more information about the new Orange Opioid Treatment Program, call (978) 674-7240. Most insurance plans are accepted.