I write to you today as the Project Director of Drug Free Fayette, a dedicated coalition comprising 80 passionate community members and stakeholders who tirelessly work towards addressing substance abuse and misuse among youth and adults in our beloved community.
It is with great enthusiasm and a sense of collective purpose that we seek to inform our community about a crucial vote that will take place this Thursday, January 25th, at 5 p.m., by our esteemed County Commissioners.
This pivotal vote pertains to the approval of a proposed 22-bed medical detox facility, an initiative led by Mr. Ben Carter from Peachtree Wellness Solutions, a private business headquartered in Peachtree City. We believe that this facility represents a beacon of hope for our community, and we encourage all residents to rally behind it.
There can be times when we as a society can hold some misconceptions about substance abuse treatment centers. These misconceptions can contribute to a negative perception of such facilities and the individuals who seek help within them; the resulting “stigma,” or shame, can keep people from seeking the help they need.
It is one of the crucial missions of the Drug Free Fayette coalition to bring awareness of the unique attributes of an acute medical detox facility, the substantial advantages it offers, the lives it can save, and the families it can keep intact.
First and foremost, acute medical detox centers are specialized facilities that offer intensive, short-term medical care specifically tailored to address substance withdrawal.
Unlike general hospitals, which simultaneously manage a broad spectrum of medical conditions, these centers are solely focused on the detoxification process. The multidisciplinary teams at these facilities, consisting of medical professionals, counselors, and support staff, are well-equipped to provide comprehensive care during this critical phase of recovery.
This specialization is the key to their uniqueness. It allows acute medical detox centers to cater to individuals who require medically assisted detox services, providing a safe and secure environment for their short-term stay, averaging between 3 to 5 days.
It’s important to emphasize that acute medical detox centers, as defined by Georgia regulations, prioritize the immediate medical needs of individuals undergoing withdrawal. This focused approach enhances the quality of care delivered during this crucial period, while ensuring an individualized plan is in place that will allow for a seamless transition to the next level of appropriate care when patients are discharged.
One significant advantage of having an acute medical detox facility in our community is the relief it would bring to our local hospital. Currently, our hospital shoulders the burden of treating patients in need of medically assisted detox services. By inviting in a dedicated detox center, we can ease this burden on our hospital, allowing it to allocate resources more efficiently to other critical healthcare needs in our community.
Additionally, the design of the exterior of the property will resemble the hospice facility previously at that location, and is similar to medical facilities like urgent care clinics, ensuring its seamless integration into our community.
Moreover, investing in substance abuse treatment facilities like the proposed medical detox center can have a far-reaching positive impact on our community’s overall well-being. Studies conducted by federal and state agencies have consistently demonstrated the economic benefits of such investments. These benefits extend beyond the individual in recovery to our community as a whole.
By providing accessible treatment options, we contribute to reducing the societal costs associated with untreated substance use disorders, such as healthcare expenses, criminal justice costs, and lost productivity.
Additionally, it promotes long-term stability and well-being for individuals in recovery, making them more responsible and productive members of our community. This generational impact fosters a healthier and safer environment for us all.
It is essential to acknowledge that substance use disorder knows no boundaries. It does not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status. It affects individuals from all walks of life, including our own community members. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that people close to you have been or are currently battling this challenge.
The Drug Free Fayette coalition firmly believes that creating a compassionate and informed community is the key to overcoming these challenges. By recognizing the unique role of acute medical detox centers and the comprehensive care they provide, we can foster a more empathetic understanding of the various components of drug and alcohol treatment.
Drug Free Fayette proudly supports the establishment of the medical detox facility proposed by Mr. Ben Carter. This facility symbolizes a crucial step towards addressing the pressing need for accessible drug treatment centers in our community.
We encourage all our residents to rally behind this initiative and show their support by contacting their respective county commissioners. Let us come together as a community to support this vital project, which will undoubtedly have a positive and transformative impact on Fayette County.
The County Commission meeting again is this Thursday, January 25, at 5 p.m., at the county complex at 140 Stonewall Ave. W, Fayetteville.
In closing, we believe that by standing united and informed, we can build a brighter future for our community — one that provides hope and assistance to those navigating the challenging journey of recovery. Let us seize this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors, friends, and loved ones.
Michael Mumper, Director of Programs
Drug Free Fayette / Fayette FACTOR
Fayetteville, Ga.
I am a Certified Master Addiction Counselor (CMAC) with a practice in Peachtree City dedicated to helping those with substance use disorders (SUDs) rediscover happiness and productive lives through evidence-based treatment solutions for alcoholism and drug addiction. Many times the first step in the journey of recovery is medically-supervised detoxification. Aside from addressing the dangerous and potentially fatal attributes of withdrawal, this physical cleansing provides the emotional freedom and mental acuity that serves as a necessary foundation for long term sobriety.
For those that have the resources ($5,000 to $15,000 for the three to seven day program), there are several near-by options for detoxification (Fairburn, Riverdale, East Point, Atlanta) that are akin to a resort or hotel experience: e.g. private rooms, excellent meals, medical staff with drug applications, etc.). Most of these for-profit entities accept insurance that sometimes cover a sizeable portion of the cost , although I currently have a client that is a school official in a near-by county that had to opt for one of the free facilities because their insurance did not cover detoxification services.
For everyone else there are several income-based or free mental health facilities that provide more bare bones services for withdrawal, the closest ones are in Newnan, Riverdale and Griffin. The gap in accommodations is significant: Spending days in a wooden chair due to lack of beds is not uncommon – patients who are there for other mental disorders can make the experience highly abrasive and uncomfortable.
The question then is how this new detoxification center structures itself. If it is simply another high-end provider seeking clientele with pockets full of cash or exceptional insurance that will foot the bill, there are already plenty of those close by to serve the area. Such a facility will not impact the challenge of the local hospital bearing the weight of those in withdrawal who cannot afford the cost of effective help. But, if it is designed to offer a superior experience over no-cost providers for those who need detoxification but have limited resources; one that provides safe and comfortable medically- supervised services that include reasonable and affordable options based on income, then it would be an asset to the community. This is what I hope our commissioners consider in their analysis.
For what it’s worth, the available data I could find indicates that living in proximity of a detoxification facility does not increase the likelihood of crime in the area anymore than a convenient store might add. Having a liquor store close to your neighborhood however increases violent crime by 35% (John Hopkins University, Spring of 2016).
Yes Drug Treatment Centers are needed. Yes these people need second chances. But..will this place be for Fayette County residents only? What happens after the 3-5 days of detox, are they released in the community or taken to an inpatient rehab? Is the future plan to turn into a long term treatment facility with numerous mental health diagnosis besides addiction? These are questions I’d like answered.
With all the fentanyl flooding the nation of course the medical detox industry is booming!! Hegelian Dialectic in full effect. It’s such a shame that the majority of the public only pays attention to the problem & not the problem makers. This is a created crisis. Caused by the medical industrial complex that includes both sides of the ‘war on drugs’. Who’s winning that war? Looks like it’s the same entities that started it.
BTW, Atlanta isn’t hours away. It’s not unreasonable for these types of 90% profit making non profits to stick to the actual city.
Great letter. We have to stop sticking our heads in the sand. We must support our neighbors.