Northampton County RISE van links hundreds to treatment, county report says

Kathy Durley, drug and alcohol administrator for Northampton County, told the County Council on June 5, 2025, that the county’s RISE (Recovery Initiatives Supporting Everyone) van has provided immediate assessments and connections to treatment since its Jan. 31 launch.

County officials said the van recorded 345 visits from February through May 2025, linked 47 people to recovery supports, and helped 10 people enter treatment; it also distributed 138 Narcan kits and 30 wound-care kits during that period. Dana Stebelski, the RISE van program coordinator and program specialist with the county drug-and-alcohol office, described repeated contacts and small gestures as central to engaging people who are not yet ready for treatment: “This experience underscores the importance of consistency, compassion, and resource sharing in supporting individuals on their path to recovery.”

The van was developed after community input and modeled in part on a similar Atlantic County program. Brian Sabo, a member of the recovery community and former director of the Hope Center, told council that transportation is one of the largest barriers to recovery: “One of the biggest ones is transportation.” Officials said the van performs on-site drug-and-alcohol assessments, links visitors to mental and physical health providers, and connects people to services such as food assistance, housing supports, and transportation.

Durley said the van partners with service providers and outreach sites across the county, including emergency shelters, food pantries and community events, and that the RISE schedule and partner list are posted at risevan.org. The county also said the van carries certified recovery specialists and coordinates with local groups for wound care and blood-pressure checks.

Discussion: council members asked how many visits were unique and how many were repeat contacts; Stebelski said some visitors return and engagement varies by person, sometimes requiring multiple encounters before a person accepts services. Officials also addressed concerns about possible child-protection implications if a parent engaged with the van needed inpatient care, saying those situations would be handled case by case and county children-and-youth staff can be involved if needed.

Next steps and access: Durley said the RISE van is available for public viewing outside the government center after the meeting and urged residents and providers to consult risevan.org for the van calendar and locations.