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Supervisors approve application for $850,000 opioid-abatement funds to expand detox beds
Summary
The board approved a resolution to apply for $850,000 from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority to expand detox capacity and a continuum of care at Bristol Lifestyle Recovery and an Abingdon facility; county staff said the state-authority funds do not require a local match on this request.
The Washington County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize an application to the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority for $850,000 to expand treatment capacity in the county and Bristol.
County staff and recovery providers described the request as funding to create detox capacity and expand a full continuum of care. Bob Garrett said the proposal would add 12 detox beds at a women’s facility and support low-intensity residential programming plus extended intensive outpatient options. Rick Mitchell, a program representative, said the region has a shortage of detox beds and that without local capacity many people are sent to East Tennessee facilities and are not successfully reconnected to local services.
Mr. Berry told supervisors the funds as proposed would come directly from state opioid-abatement allocations and would not require the county match for this application. Supervisors asked logistical questions about partnerships and timelines; providers said the request was considered “shovel ready” by state authority representatives and emphasized the gap in local detox availability.
The board adopted Resolution 2025-18 to apply for the funds on a recorded voice vote of 7-0.
