Anchor Addiction seeks county sites for mobile opioid treatment units; commissioners request prosecutor opinion

Josh Thacker, representing Anchor Addiction, told the Lawrence County commissioners on Jan. 20 that the organization’s mobile opioid use disorder treatment units are roughly 30 to 45 days from launching following a final DEA inspection that required minor changes. “We had our last inspection with the… drug enforcement agency. They requested that we just make a few tweaks to our units, submit it to them, and then they'll approve us,” Thacker said.

Thacker said the units are self‑sustained and “don’t require any type of electric hookup, any type of water hookup,” and that the organization plans an initial schedule of one day per week with flexibility to increase based on need. He also said the units will have on‑site security requirements imposed by the DEA: “We are gonna have armed security guards with both units... we’re paying about $200,000 a year just for security for our units,” and that the dosing area is protected by bulletproof glass and that medication safes are bolted to the unit frame.

Thacker said Anchor Addiction is coordinating with the health department, job and family services and area treatment providers to establish referral pathways and local care connections. He asked whether the county had property or parking lots that the program could use; commissioners said they would first seek an opinion from the county prosecutor on liability and then review potential properties and zoning with the city of Ironton.

No county property was committed at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to request the prosecutor’s opinion on legal and liability implications before any county participation or property allocation.

The presenter said he will continue local meetings with the health department, zoning and treatment partners as the program moves to launch.