SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A first-of-its-kind center has officially opened its doors to help those struggling with addiction.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with AdventHealth to turn a former probation office into an intensive outpatient service clinic called the Hope & Healing Center.
“We know people are overdosing at record numbers; it was a problem before COVID-19,” Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said. “Now that COVID-19 has really resulted in personal isolation, having this facility will literally save lives.”
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The center has 10 beds, but the capacity to hold up to 30 people at one time.
Seminole County had 11 opioid overdose deaths in January.
Last month, Lemma said most jurisdictions across the state saw a 60% rise in overdoses during 2020.
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Walmart donated $750,000 to get the Hope & Healing Center up and running.