Team effort launches pilot program aimed at opioid addiction

By Andrew Dooley
Posted 7/14/16

The City of Warwick, the Comprehensive Community Action Program, and Bridgemark Addiction Recovery Services have teamed up to combat opioid addictions with a Vivitrol pilot program.

“We are …

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Team effort launches pilot program aimed at opioid addiction

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The City of Warwick, the Comprehensive Community Action Program, and Bridgemark Addiction Recovery Services have teamed up to combat opioid addictions with a Vivitrol pilot program.

“We are looking to expand options for residents dealing with opioid addiction issues in a manner that will allow them to live lives free of stigma, trauma and drugs,” said Mayor Scott Avedisian.

The program has been in the planning stages for a couple of months, but it is being introduced this week.

“Vivitrol is designed to reduce, if not extinguish, [opioid] cravings,” said Christine Harkins, president and CEO of Bridgemark.

If a patient is receiving health care benefits through Health Source Rhode Island and wishes to take advantage of the Vivitrol program, they will go to the Everett C. Wilcox Family Health Center, which is operated by CCAP. The health center is on Buttonwoods Avenue.

The CEO and executive director of the CCAP, Joanna McGunagle, said, “CCAP is proud to join with the City of Warwick to offer this program to those struggling with substance abuse. Our medical providers are exceptional and, once trained, will be able to provide a full spectrum of medical interventions.” McGunagle said the employees at CCAP are currently in training.

Private pay patients will go through the program offered at Bridgemark, located on Elmwood Avenue.

Harkins said, “We are very happy to see that the city is working to create treatment options for those battling addictions.  Bridgemark has been working with the governor’s office and the mayor’s office on a host of initiatives and are happy to see this pilot program begin.”

Harkins made it clear that as a health center they do not prescribe or distribute medication. By teaming up with the City of Warwick and CCAP, they intend to support the use of Vivitrol by continuing the services they offer now.

“They [patients] can come to Bridgemark and be a part of our residential programming,” she said. “We keep their medication literally under lock and key.” She did point out that they do not hold on to a drug such as Vivitrol, which is administered as a shot, once a month, when the patient goes for a doctor’s visit. The patient must be clean for at least 30 days before receiving the shot.

State Rep. Patricia Morgan of District 26 was involved in the creation of the program. She heard about the drug at a conference and brought the information to the mayor and CCAP.

She said State Rep. Michael Chippendale of District 40 and State Rep. Blake Filippi of District 36 were involved.

“We are looking for options for those people looking to end addiction,” Morgan said in a statement. “The Vivitrol pilot program that was started by the Department of Corrections really dovetails with the work of the Re-entry Council that operates in Kent County. By having both CCAP and Bridgemark as active partners in this program, we feel that we can assist people looking to end addictions.”

Morgan said a public forum will be held at The Crowne Plaza in Warwick on Wednesday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. Check-in will start at 6 p.m.

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