Drug Treatment Center In Burlington County Opens Friday

An addiction treatment center that received approval to be open for the next three years was scheduled to open on Friday, Burlington County Freeholder Deputy Director Linda Hughes announced. The operator of Post House Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center has received its State licensure, enabling the county-owned facility to immediately reopen and be utilized for years to come, according to officials.

In November, the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved Maryville Addiction Treatment Center of New Jersey to be the operator of the center, located in Pemberton Township. The center was opened via emergency contract in September. It will operate through Dec. 31, 2020.

“It is so important that we continue to provide assistance and resources to residents seeking treatment. The reopening of Post House is a huge step in our fight against opioid addiction,” said Hughes, liaison to the County Department of Human Services. “Without Post House, there are no short-term residential treatment or detox services located in Burlington County.”

“This new residential treatment center demonstrates our dedication and commitment to making a difference in the field of addiction recovery,” Maryville CEO Kendria McWilliams said. “Maryville is in the business of saving lives. Our staff knows that success is achieved one patient at a time, and that our positive reputation is something we need to earn every day.”

Maryville was founded in 1949 and is recognized as a leader in the treatment of addictive disease and co-occurring disorders, according to officials. It will provide six beds at Post House for long-term residential treatment for the Drug Court Initiative. They will also provide 12 beds for detox and 30 beds for short-term residential treatment. Maryville also operates treatment facilities in Cumberland and Gloucester counties.

“The opioid epidemic must be attacked with aggressive law enforcement, ubiquitous education and expanded access to treatment,” Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said. “The efforts by the Freeholders and Maryville to re-open Post House represent a major step forward on this third front, and will provide more treatment options closer to home for residents struggling with addiction, including those under the supervision of the Drug Court.”

Hughes stressed that helping residents overcome addiction will remain a priority of the Freeholder Board. The reopening of Post House follows other board initiatives such as the county’s Addiction Task Force, and supporting the recently announced Opioid Overdose Recovery Program, Narcan training events and addiction support group meetings.

Patch file photo