Wilmington Officials To Hear More Details About Proposed Detox Facility

WILMINGTON, MA -- The Board of Selectmen are scheduled to hear more about a drug treatment facility being proposed for a two-acre, vacant lot at 362 Middlesex Avenue near the MBTA commuter rail station when it holds its regular meeting Tuesday night. David Ray, who runs similar facilities in Wakefield and Wenham, is listed on the board's agenda.

Ray is proposing a 40-bed detox center as part of his Number 16 substance abuse treatment company. Number 16 runs a drug and alcohol addiction retreat in Wenham, where the recommended stay is four weeks, and a sober-living house in Wakefield where patients typically live for six to eight months. The Wilmington detox center would likely treat patients in the initial stages of withdrawal for shorter periods than the typical stay at Number 16's other facilities.

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Number 16's Website portrays its method as an alternative to traditional addiction and alcoholism treatment centers that "apply old and questionable methods with lackluster outcomes...At Number 16, we have used the same method since we started and will be using it until we close. We don’t change because what we do works. We expect complete recovery and so should you. Number 16 is not addiction and alcoholism treatment and proudly so. We are recovered alcoholics and drug addicts who teach guests how to get well just like we did."

Ray appeared on the "Today Show" in 2014 with Matt Lauer to talk about the rising problem of synthetic marijuana and the dangers facing the younger generation. Also in 2014, NBC Nightly News filmed a segment at Number 16's Wakefield sober house.

Detox centers are typically the first step in treating people with severe substance addictions. The centers help patients through the withdrawal phase, which can be life-threatening in certain cases. About 22.5 million Americans needed some sort of substance abuse treatment in 2014 and opioid-related deaths increased fourfold in Massachusetts between 2000 and 2015

Patients at detox facilities usually stay for a week or two before moving onto longer-term care facilities. The backer of the Wilmington facility would have neighborhood meetings.

The retailer Dollar General has also considered building a store on the land. A realtors listing for the property notes that it is zoned for general business uses and other uses could be considered with a special permit. There are currently two structures on the property.

Photo by Dave Copeland.