Vermont Business MagazineHoward Center’s Safe Recovery program recently received a $12,500 contribution from the City of Burlington for continued operation of its syringe exchange program. The program support was recommended by City Councilor Selene Colburn and was funded under City Council initiatives in the City’s FY16 budget. The contribution from the City comes at a time when the demand for services outweighs Safe Recovery’s available resources and helps to offset other recent funding cuts.
“The Safe Recovery program is a critical link in our broad effort to address Vermont’s opiate addiction crisis,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “We are pleased the City’s support has helped continue these life-saving services.”
According to Colburn, “Safe Recovery has been an instrumental partner in the City’s efforts to safely dispose of discarded needles found in public places. Through that process, I became aware of the really important work they are doing around HIV testing and the support they provide for individuals waiting to receive treatment at Howard Center’s Chittenden Clinic.”
Approximately 75 individuals seek support from Safe Recovery daily, and last year the program served more than 1,000 individuals. The program offers a variety of services, many of which are anonymous, including syringe exchange, drug-treatment options counseling, Hepatitis C and HIV testing, and distribution of naloxone overdose reversal kits. More than 300 overdose reversals have been attributed to the kits distributed within Chittenden County by Safe Recovery since December 2013.
Safe Recovery Program Coordinator Tom Dalton said, “We are grateful for the City’s contribution. Our program provides immediate support to people who are currently using heroin or other opioids, to both reduce the immediate risk of harm and provide a link to drug treatment and recovery supports. We’re a front-line program that actively works with people who are struggling with addiction, including many who are on drug treatment waiting lists.”
For more information about Safe Recovery, visit www.howardcenter.org or contact Tom Dalton at (802) 488-6069.
Howard Center offers life-saving professional crisis and counseling services to children and adults; supportive services to individuals with autism and developmental disabilities who need help with education, employment, and life maintenance skills; counseling and medical services for those struggling with substance use disorders, and intensive interventions and supports for adults with serious and persistent mental health challenges. Last year we helped more than 16,000 people. Howard Center is a funded agency of the United Way of Chittenden County.
Soruce:Howard Center 8.13.2015