Money seized in drug busts used to fund Ventura County drug treatment program
Authorities in Ventura County are funneling cash seized from drug crimes to help pay for addiction treatment services.
On Wednesday, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced $10,000 had been distributed to the Health Care Foundation for Ventura County as part of the program.
The donations will be made annually and will increase over time as more funds become available, the D.A.’s Office said.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said the Health Care Foundation has a history of providing essential medical care to Ventura County, particularly to those who are considered most vulnerable.
The funding will be used to provide support to those undergoing addiction treatments at Ventura County Medical Center, which offers acute, in-patient and alcohol detoxification services.
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The detox program is designed for people with “severe addictions,” the D.A.’s Office says. Treatment involves the use of prescription medicine to help users wean off substances, while also providing monitoring and treatment for any complications that come up.
A typical duration of stay is about four days, officials said, and counseling and outpatient care are part of treatment plans.
“After stabilization and drug detoxification, many patients qualify for sober living but don’t possess the funds to pay for this critical part of their healing,” said Dr. Tipu Khan, chief of Addiction Medicine. “With this donation, we will establish a scholarship fund to help support patient’s first 30 days in sober living when deemed appropriate by the treatment team.”
Khan’s program offers “evidence-based practices to help sustain remission,” officials said. The program is offered at no-cost or low-cost to most patients, and most major insurance providers are accepted.
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The D.A.’s Office said it is actively involved in battling the opioid crisis, particularly the fentanyl epidemic, as part of a countywide initiative alongside other law enforcement agencies and health care bodies.
“This contribution signifies our commitment to supporting treatment services and fostering healthier communities,” Nasarenko said in a news release.
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