Facing a lack of youth-oriented addiction services in Maryland, the state Department of Health has launched a program in Baltimore offering treatment to those under 21 years old.
The department, in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, announced the Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Minors program on Wednesday. Amid an unprecedented overdose crisis, the program aims to provide inpatient care to younger individuals struggling with substance use disorders, the news release stated.
"This partnership marks a pivotal moment for the health and well-being of our youth," Health Secretary Dr. Laura Herrera Scott said in a statement. "Adolescents under 21 have faced a lack of inpatient substance use disorder treatment options in Maryland. By opening the state's only high-intensity residential treatment facility for minors, we are addressing a critical gap in care, offering hope and vital support to the young people of Montgomery County and Maryland who need it most."
The program, offered at Mountain Manor Treatment Center at 3800 Frederick Ave. in Baltimore, has 15 inpatient beds.
Although based in Baltimore, the epicenter of the overdose crisis, it is being overseen by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and will provide services to individuals statewide.
It is currently only accepting referrals and admitting adolescent males, said Chase Cook, spokesman for the state Department of Health, but it will begin to accept patients of all gender identities in the coming months.
The program will offer the following treatment to patients:
- 24-hour medical monitoring and evaluation
- Substance, opioid and alcohol treatment services
- Family treatment and engagement
- Culturally and linguistically appropriate services
- Interventions to apply recovery skills and prevent relapse
- Support in promoting personal responsibility
- Help to reintegrate into the community
The program will be funded by the state's Opioid Restitution Fund, which holds all funds from opioid settlements, and settlement funds directly allocated to Montgomery County.
It's unclear how much settlement money will be used to fund the program.
Youth overdose deaths comprise a relatively small portion of the state's fatal overdose death toll, but officials have said youth addiction services in general are still lacking.
There were 1,982 overdose deaths in Maryland in the 12-month period ending in July, according to the state Department of Health. Of those deaths, 94, or 5%, were individuals who were 25 years old or younger.
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