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N.H. "Drug Czar" Says Serenity Place Collapse Shows Gaps in Treatment

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New Hampshire’s "drug czar" says the recent collapse of Manchester’s Safe Station treatment provider has revealed gaps in the state's care.

Last month the provider, Serenity Place, went out of business after experiencing financial troubles from an overwhelming demand. 

Of the more than 2,000 people who accessed treatment through Safe Station last year, more than half were coming from outside of Manchester. 

Speaking on NHPR’s The Exchange, "drug czar" David Mara, the Governor's Adviser on Addiction and Behavioral Health, said there simply isn’t enough treatment around the state.

“We were hearing that they were just sending them to Safe Station and that is the problem – that should not be happening. And I understand why it happens but that is something that has to change because it will just overwhelm the system again.”

The Safe Station program is now being managed by multiple providers in Manchester. Serenity Place is now working through the liquidation process.

 

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