Samaritan Takes Next Step to Address Substance Use May 29, 2019 Samaritan Health Services will hold a public groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, June 11, for its future facility in Lebanon, which will treat individuals with substance use disorders. Samaritan Treatment & Recovery Services will be a residential 16-bed treatment facility off Santiam Highway near Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. This facility will serve adults throughout Oregon with serious substance use disorders. It will complement an outpatient clinic that Samaritan opened in 2018, which will move into the space at the new facility when complete. Services will be available to those 18 and older, including those who are pregnant or parenting, throughout the state, with priority given to patients who live in Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties. Together, the services will provide much-needed additional resources to treat substance use disorder across Oregon. According to recent studies, Oregon ranks fourth highest in terms of substance use disorder across all U.S. states, but ranks 50th in access to treatment. “Samaritan’s mission is ‘Building Healthier Communities Together,’ and substance use disorders are definitely barriers to healthier communities,” said Doug Boysen, president and CEO of Samaritan Health Services. “This program is a very positive step in addressing this issue.” Construction is financed completely by philanthropy: The Samaritan Foundations philanthropic teams in Albany, Corvallis and Lebanon have raised more than $3 million toward an estimated project cost of $4 million. Benton and Linn counties have contributed toward the project, as have numerous mid-valley benefactors. Samaritan will support the ongoing cost of operating the facility. The groundbreaking will be held on June 11 at 3 p.m. at the construction site, bordered by Santiam Highway, Tangent Street and Main Street. To learn more about the outpatient services available through Samaritan Treatment & Recovery Services, visit samhealth.org/Recovery. If you’re interested in being part of the solution to substance use disorder in Oregon, call: 541-451-6303.
