BY GERALDINE TORRELLAS | KENTUCKY
DANVILLE, Ky. — The Wellness Community is a health care technology company that recently opened in Danville, and it’s launching the Primary Addiction Treatment at Home (PATH) Program to help those struggling with substance use.
What You Need To Know
A health care tech company is launching an at-home addiction treatment program in February
Its mission is to reach rural communities and reduce the number of overdose deaths in the state
The number of drug-related deaths increased from 2020 to 2021
The program offers virtual drug-screening, counseling and coaching
Andrea James, an ambassador, works primarily with the PATH program. He said the key draws are comfort and confidentiality.
“You don’t have to worry about walking into a treatment center,” said James. “Maybe you don’t want to be seen walking in and out of a treatment center. So we want you to be comfortable. It’s confidential. You don’t have to miss work.”
James was raised in eastern Kentucky and saw a disparity in health care in that part of the state.
“I know there’s a huge need there,” said James. “There’s such a huge medical gap in those areas.”
It was this and seeing kids that her children went to school with struggling with addiction that sparked her passion to be a part of something that could help with this growing problem.
In 2021, there was a 14.5% increase of overdose deaths across Kentucky from 2020, according to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.
“We need more education in this area,” said James. “We have some fantastic programs, some fantastic leaders here in Boyle County that have totally embraced and spent their time with those with substance use disorder, but I knew that they could use some help, and we knew that Community Wellness could kind of start filling that gap—especially offering the Telehealth programs so that everybody is accessible.”
The PATH Program is a brand-new initiative that will launch in February. It comprises completing drug screens, talking with counselors, and working with behavioral health coaches.
This is all done virtually to reach more people throughout Kentucky, especially people that live in rural communities.