Members of the Kenbridge Town Council heard a presentation by Jerry von Poks with Three Rivers Treatment Center and Academy last Tuesday about installing a service line to its facility, which offers a short-term treatment plan for adults with substance abuse and opioid addiction. The timeline of 21-28 days, von Poks said, is due to the opioid crisis, which was initiated by Governor Terry McAuliffe in 2016 as a public health emergency in Virginia.

“There’s definitely a need for it,” von Poks said about the service line. “We feel that that is one way that we can not only give back to the community at large, but also increase job opportunities as we are expanding.” The center on 231 Hickory Road also offers short-term residential treatment for children with emotional, behavioral or mental conditions.

During the meeting, von Poks addressed concerns by members of the council, including the impact of the facility on the police department and the concern of one building housing children and adults.

Von Poks said the center would only contact the police department for serious cases, as those in the center would only apply voluntarily, and the center does not provide detox services.

Von Poks noted that the building is designed so that the children and adults in the campus are separated at all times, including during meals, activities and in the main corridor.

While concerns are valid for the treatment center and the proposed service line, and while we at The Dispatch looks toward the town and Three Rivers to do everything possible to address this, we also hope the town will consider supporting the services of the treatment center and academy, which can continue to offer needed services to both children and adults.