May 2, 2019
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Howard House is a 16-bed treatment facility for substance use disorders, including opioid addiction, in Howard County
COLUMBIA, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball hosted a ribbon cutting today for Howard House, the new 16-bed treatment facility for substance use disorders, including opioid addiction. The mission is to provide a natural, safe, and supportive setting for beginning a structured progression toward a sober lifestyle. Video of the event can be found here.
“Since 2016, over 130 people have died in Howard County from the totally preventable cause of opioid overdose. This fact is tragic, it is painful, and it is unacceptable,” said Ball. “That is why we are treating this problem like the public health crisis that it is. For too long, our brothers and sisters suffering from addiction have been forced to travel far away to get the help they need. Today, we open Howard House to provide a safe and healing place right here in Howard County.”
The Howard County Government funded the remodeled new Howard House on Route 108, a location that is owned by the Department of Recreation & Parks. The Howard County Health Department also played a key role in bringing the project to fruition. In terms of both the funding for Howard House and behavioral health expertise, the opening would not have been possible without the Health Department.
At Howard House, clients will receive step-down care, including peer support, case management services, therapeutic behavioral health sessions, skill building and other outpatient treatment and supportive care.
With the goal of proving the full continuum of care to those in need, Ball also announced a comprehensive vision for fighting the opioid epidemic in Howard County, including:
- Establishing a 24/7 crisis support hotline at Grassroots
- Building a new, residential treatment center through a partnership with Delphi Behavioral Health Group. The center will serve women and men of all income levels to help them move toward full recovery. Ball has committed $3 million over four years to form this first-of-its-kind partnership in the state between a local jurisdiction and a private treatment provider
- Continuing proper emergency room referrals to peer recovery specialists
- Funding for behavioral health navigators at both the hospital and Health Department
- Continuing to support naloxone training and distribution across the county. In addition, the Howard County Police Department monitors and maintains four prescription drop boxes throughout the County where unwanted medications can be dropped off. The boxes are located in the following buildings: Northern District Station, Southern District Station, Gary Arthur Community Center, and the Community Outreach Office.
- Strengthening community partnerships with the Opioid Crisis Community Council, the Opioid Intervention Team, emergency responders, providers and most importantly friends and family