Keene’s hub for addiction services, known as the Doorway, is moving from its current location to a new site downtown on Railroad Street.
Shawn LaFrance is director of the Doorway in Keene. He says the Doorway's current location on Route 101 wasn't meant to be permanent, and the downtown location is also closer to other services clients might use.
"We want to be downtown because, No. 1, there are sidewalks, for people to walk to it on 101 is not conducive to that. But also there are other transportation options,” he said.
But finding a space to rent downtown was difficult, LaFrance says.
“There’s stigma associated with the opioid crisis and people who have substance use disorders and have used drugs of one kind or another,” he said. “That fear, stigma influences how people think about this issue.”
According to the state's Department of Health and Human Services, Keene's Doorway served 65 clients in July. Most of those came in for help with opioids or alcohol.
LaFrance says he hopes doors will open in the new location in November.
