Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a longtime not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts, today announced the launch of its mobile treatment service, the first in the state to offer all three medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) – methadone, suboxone and vivitrol.
“While several barriers to treatment access remain for those battling addiction, one of the most prevalent is the inability to access help precisely when an individual is ready to pursue recovery – a window of willingness that can be fleeting,” said Heidi Di Roberto, LMHC, regional executive director, Central Mass. “With the launch of this mobile treatment van, we’re increasing access to on-demand medication and mental health support right when clients need it, a milestone of great pride in our journey to truly make recovery possible for all.”
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS), Spectrum’s mobile treatment program will offer MOUD, recovery coaching and mental health services for anyone seeking assistance for such needs in the area. While Spectrum continues to secure additional locations for mobile service, its St. John’s Church-adjacent location enables those seeking same-day treatment to also access food and other lifesaving supplies they might require through the church’s Food for the Poor Program.
“This mobile clinic is one of the many tools that is going to help bring our overdose rates and overdose mortality numbers down,” said Dr. Matilde (Mattie) Castiel, Commissioner of Health & Human Services for the City of Worcester. “Methadone and other MOUD treatments this mobile van will provide eliminates the lethal contaminants that are in every drug sold on the streets, from fentanyl to Xylazine, and will provide access to treatment for those who are homeless – something that is so needed to stabilize people and ideally help them secure housing.”
Over 17 years ago, Spectrum initiated same-day walk-in access for methadone services, enabling clinical teams to immediately stabilize individuals when they were ready for treatment. Since then, Spectrum has made strides in implementing rapid access, low-barrier treatment programs, opening its first rapid access treatment program at 475 Pleasant Street in Worcester in 2019 and in 2022, began offering this program at its outpatient center in Framingham. The rapid access treatment program offers on-demand medication for addiction recovery utilizing a “hub and spoke” model of care, with Spectrum’s outpatient treatment centers serving as the intake hub, and once stabilized, transition clients to another community provider (“spokes”) for continuing treatment closer to home.
Spectrum’s mobile treatment van is offering service seven days a week, 365 days a year at 20 Temple Street in Worcester. The van is also approved to operate at the Southern Middlesex Opportunity Center (SMOC)’s Greater Worcester location at 25 Queen Street and will be operating from both locations each day. For more information about Spectrum Health Systems, visit our website or call 1-877-MyRehab.
