Jessica Janssen, chief executive officer for Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS), conducted a presentation Tuesday on a new opioid treatment facility coming to the city of Cortland. (Photo via Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Cortland residents and city council members expressed concern on Tuesday about an opioid treatment facility that’s coming to the area.
The facility, in line to be operated by Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS), will be located at 6 Euclid Ave. The street is primarily a residential area.
CARS is bringing in a facility after the Beacon Center, also a treatment facility, closed its doors a few years ago. CARS’ initiative for the facility is to provide methadone to patients.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration website, methadone is a medication to treat opioid use disorder.
“Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist, and a scheduled controlled medication,” according to the definition provided on the website.
While city residents and common council supported the work that CARS is putting forward, the residents and council members also expressed their displeasure on the location of the opioid treatment facility.
CARS chief executive officer Jessica Janssen conducted a presentation on the facility. Sharon MacDougall, director of community services at the Cortland County Mental Health Department, also provided insight during the presentation.
Sharon MacDougall, director of community services at the Cortland County Mental Health Department, spoke during CARS' presentation on Tuesday. (Photo via Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
Below is a recording of CARS’ presentation, with comments and questions from city council members.
Below is a recording of Euclid Avenue residents providing their opinion on the facility. The residents who spoke were Carlos Ferrer, Kristie Rainbow, Charlotte Wallace and Debbie Gross.
Sara Watrous, project director for Healing Cortland, attended Tuesday’s meeting. Watrous told The Cortland Voice she’s excited that CARS presented their project to the community.
Watrous added that there is currently no treatment program in Cortland County that provides methadone.
“It’s something that’s deeply needed. It’ll be a really important addition to the treatment services in the city,” Watrous said. “CARS has been pitching it (for the county) and we’ve been supporting that. They’re the direct services and treatment provider, so we’re just helping behind-the-scenes.”
Despite the opposition in the location of the facility by residents and council members, Watrous said everyone collectively agreed that “overdose is a problem” and that the Cortland area “needs more support in services.”
“I was glad to see we were all on the same page about that,” Watrous said. “I do have a lot of faith in CARS and their services. The opioid treatment program is going to be a positive thing for the community. I’m confident that they’re going to work with the residents in the neighboring streets to make sure it’s a positive experience for everyone.”
Tuesday’s meeting agenda included a resolution on CARS requesting a letter of support from the city on bringing in an opioid treatment facility. City mayor Scott Steve decided to table the decision, noting that he’d like to have further discussions with residents and CARS’ representatives on the facility.
