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Grants Allow For Expanded Drug Treatment In Northern Wisconsin

Programs For Heroin, Opioid Addiction Increase

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hypodermic needle
eric molina (CC-BY)

State grants awarded to health facilities in northwestern Wisconsin have helped expand treatment for heroin and opioid addiction in rural areas and health care providers are seeing more success.

State officials awarded grants to providers in underserved rural areas last year. Family Health Center in Marshfield, NorthLakes Community Clinic in Ashland and L.E. Phillips Libertas Treatment Center have been offering wrap-around services to treat addiction.

NorthLakes CEO Reba Rice said more than 30 patients have sought meds like suboxone.

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“To be able to be in their own community and getting it has been a gamechanger for them,” said Rice.

Dr. Michelle Bensen, of the Marshfield Clinic, said her caseload has doubled to around 90 patients.

“People have been able to access treatment and also we’re seeing people sent from a larger region because of our five-county, three-tribal area involvement,” Bensen said.

All three providers said combining medication with counselors and other support systems is helping people rebuild their lives.