Philadelphia opening new drug treatment facility in Holmesburg
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Mayor Cherelle Parker unveiled the first phase of a new city-run drug recovery and health center in Northeast Philly on Wednesday.
Why it matters: It's part of Parker's $100 million plan to expand treatment options for people in addiction amid her efforts to end open-air drug markets and reduce homelessness in Kensington.
State of play: The Riverview Wellness Village in Holmesburg will offer 336 beds and treatment for people with drug addictions, starting in the coming weeks.
- The facility will also offer health care, workforce opportunities, art therapy and recreational activities.
The big picture: Riverview Wellness Village — which is located on a previously vacant city-owned property — will expand over the coming years to house hundreds more people.
- Plans include constructing a residential building and renovating more of its existing buildings.
What they're saying: "This is about prevention, intervention and even enforcement, but this is also about putting people on a path to self-sufficiency," Parker said during a news conference Wednesday at Riverview.
How it works: The facility will accept only individuals who have already completed short-term residential drug treatment programs elsewhere.
- Those accepted will be eligible to live at Riverview for up to one year.
Zoom out: As Parker makes big investments in drug treatment services and housing, she has rejected other approaches, including needle exchanges, a tiny-home project for those experiencing homelessness and a safe injection site.
- Parker has faced criticism from lawmakers and others over the past year about her go-it-alone approach to addressing the opioid epidemic and public safety.
What's ahead: The opening of the Holmesburg facility comes as the Parker administration is teeing up the launch of a "neighborhood wellness court" in Kensington, per the Kensington Voice.
- Under the program, people with addiction who are arrested for low-level summary offenses, like disorderly conduct or public urination, would be given the option of seeking treatment instead of facing criminal penalties.
- The wellness court is expected to launch Jan. 21, the city's chief public safety director, Adam Geer, said during the news conference.
Yes, but: The ACLU and harm reduction advocates have raised legal and health concerns about Parker's fast-track drug court, which could bring people before judges the same day as their arrests, per the outlet.
- Plus: Advocates question whether Philly's understaffed jails are able to handle an influx of people suffering from addiction, the Inquirer reports.