New opioid treatment center opens in Redmond

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A new treatment center in central Oregon means new hope for those struggling with addiction.

On Monday, the Oregon Recovery and Treatment Center Group opened a new space in Redmond. They assist those dealing with opioids like fentanyl, and heroin. The new center offers medication, treatment, case management, and even several different types of on site testing. Their services are confidential and voluntary. No one is forced into treatment.

Lisa Baldwin of ORTC says, "We want them to come to treatment because they want to believe that they can have a better life. And that was one of the main reasons we opened here is so that getting to treatment is not a barrier. If you have to drive an hour one hour and a half to go to a program, you're not going to be committed to it. Here we take that out. And we open so early, so there's no reason for them not to work, go to school, take care of their parents, take care of their family, take care of their children."

Accessibility is another key feature of this location. It's situated on a bus line and within a building that houses other medical groups. In addition, 90 patients who were previously using the center in Bend can now receive services in their hometown.

On April 2nd, the treatment center will be hosting an open house from 2 to 5 p.m.