(WDNews) — A new federal effort aimed at addressing homelessness and addiction is getting a local perspective from a Wiregrass recovery professional who says treatment must be available when someone is ready to ask for help.
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the Best Practices Toolkit: Addressing Homelessness and Addiction Through Treatment First.
The toolkit promotes a “Treatment First” model that focuses on connecting people experiencing homelessness and addiction with treatment and recovery support services.
Jonathan Riley, Southeast Alabama CRSS II OD2A Outreach with PEIR, works with people in recovery across the Wiregrass.
“From my experience working with people in recovery in the Wiregrass, I believe the ‘Treatment First’ approach can be a positive step,” Riley said. “People struggling with addiction and homelessness need more than just a place to sleep. They need access to treatment, recovery support, stable housing, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.”
Riley said making treatment available is an important part of making the approach work locally.
“But treatment has to be available and accessible,” Riley said. “We need more treatment programs, recovery housing, peer support, and mental-health resources here in our communities.”
Riley said the Wiregrass already has outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment, residential treatment and peer recovery services. However, getting someone into those services quickly can be a challenge.
“For me, the biggest issue is when someone finally says, ‘I’m ready to get help,’ we need to be able to say, ‘Let’s get you help today,’” Riley said. “If they have to wait weeks, travel hours away, or can’t afford the program, that window of willingness can disappear.”
The federal toolkit emphasizes treatment and recovery services as communities work to address homelessness. Riley said housing and treatment should not be viewed as competing solutions.
“To me, it’s not ‘housing versus treatment.’ We need both,” Riley said. “Housing gives someone stability, but treatment and recovery support give them a chance to change their life. And accountability has to be part of that process too.”
Riley said additional detox and treatment beds, recovery housing and transportation are among the resources needed in Southeast Alabama. He also pointed to peer recovery support, employment assistance and mental health services.
“We also need better coordination between the organizations already doing this work so people don’t fall through the cracks,” Riley said. “The Wiregrass has many organizations trying to help, but we all have to work as one.”
Riley said reaching people where they are and continuing to support them after they enter treatment could make a difference.
“If we can meet people where they are, get them into treatment when they’re ready, and stay with them through recovery, I believe we can save lives and help people become productive members of our communities again.”
Federal officials said the new toolkit was developed with input from experts across the country with firsthand experience and knowledge of homelessness, addiction, treatment and recovery.
The toolkit is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to expand treatment and recovery services and address homelessness and addiction.
