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Franklin County hears Net Recovery pilot report as magistrates consider using opioid-settlement funds to expand treatments
Summary
Net Recovery told the Franklin County Fiscal Court it treated 15 county residents with an FDA-cleared NET device, reported measurable reductions in withdrawal severity and cravings, and proposed an amendment to continue county sponsorship and expand access; magistrates asked technical and budget questions and were told opioid-settlement funds are available to cover expansion.
Rebecca Mech, community liaison for Net Recovery, updated the Franklin County Fiscal Court on a county-sponsored pilot program on Nov. 5, saying the county had sponsored 15 residents for treatment with a NET (neuroelectric therapy) device and that partners now include Isaiah House, Yonder in Berea and Altogether Recovery in Danville, plus two recovery-housing sites.
"Out of the 15 that were allotted to Franklin County, 7 of them were treated in the detention center, 8 of them were treated at Isaiah House," Mech told the court, and she said 10 of the 15 treatments produced what Net Recovery reported as a 100% reduction in the withdrawal-severity scale (including craving levels); two additional cases had an 85% reduction. Mech acknowledged tracking clients after treatment has been difficult and described a new pilot for active follow-up contact to document housing, incarceration, employment and substance use outcomes.
Two program participants provided first-person accounts. Michelle Warfield told the court she was treated in August, left the device program sober, reported no cravings since discharge and described regained family ties and employment efforts. A second testimonial speaker said the device produced rapid clarity of mind and allowed them to reengage with therapy and community supports.
Magistrates questioned eligibility, site options, cost and follow-up. Mech said medical exclusions can apply (for example, a history of traumatic brain injury or certain seizure disorders) but otherwise eligibility is determined by clinical review; the company has a committee and clinical team that screens candidates. She told the court Net Recovery has treated additional Franklin County residents beyond the 15 originally funded and is pursuing state-level grant opportunities to avoid strictly county-by-county allocation.
The issue of funding drew specific attention. A magistrate said opioid-settlement funds are available and suggested a funding figure to scale the program. Mech provided a blank amendment to the court for consideration and said capacity could be doubled (to 30 people) without straining Net Recovery’s operations; she described treatment costing in the range discussed in the packet and earlier public comments. The court indicated the request would go to the finance committee before any final appropriation.
The court did not take a formal vote on funding at the Nov. 5 work session; Mech said the Finance Committee would receive the amendment as a next step and staff would circulate videos and the proposed amendment to magistrates.
Ending: Magistrates thanked the presenters and witnesses and agreed to route the Net Recovery amendment through the usual committee process for further review.
