Jacobi receives $350,000 grant
for emergency medical detox
BY PATRICK ROCCHIO
Jacobi Medical Center was the recipient
of a $350,000 grant from New York
State as part of several awards to facilitate
the introduction of medication to
wean opioids users off the drugs within
a hospital’s medical emergency department
setting.
The grant allows patients who visit
Jacobi’s Medical Emergency Department
with withdrawal symptoms to
obtain buprenorphine for opioid addiction.
Additionally, medicines and guidance
will be provided to those who may
come into the medical emergency room
to seek treatment for withdrawal from
alcohol as well, said Dr. Jantra Coll,
clinical director of the Jacobi Comprehensive
Addiction Treatment Center.
The award was the only one the
city’s public hospital system received,
she said.
“We are very proud of it, because
we are partnering up with our (medical)
ED,” said Coll, adding “So many of
these patients are coming through our
(medical) ED but not making it to our
behavioral health services.”
Substance abuse treatment is categorized
under behavioral health, explained
the doctor.
Especially in Jacobi’s service area,
many of the people who may be addicted
to alcohol, opioids or other substances
are often referred to treatment centers,
but they are more likely to seek help
when they are having physical symptoms
related to addiction, said Coll.
People coming to terms with their
addiction may have trouble going to a
drug or alcohol treatment center, but
may feel more comfortable with going
to get medical care, said Coll.
“A medical doctor can create a detox
protocol with the patient inside of
the ED itself,” said Coll. “We can begin
treatment when they start coming into
the ED with withdrawal symptoms;
we have addiction counselors who will
come to the medical ED and provide
support.”
She added: “We are getting our medical
providers to treat this as a medical
condition and not see it only as a psychological
condition.”
There is a window of opportunity
when someone who is addicted wants
to feel better, so it is important to strike
then by bringing them treatment options
at the right time, said the doctor.
“It is fl eeting moment before they
have another trigger (to addiction),” she
said.
You can contact the Jacobi Comprehensive
Addiction Treatment Center at
(718) 918-4465 for more information.
Pichardo, Rivera Co-Host
GIVEAWAY
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, A 26 UGUST 9-15, 2019 BTR
Dr. Jantra Coll (l), clinical director of the Jacobi Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center
speaks with Omar Archibald, addiction counselor. The hospital will implementing a new
grant that will allow it to bring services to those addicted to alcohol and opioids into the
medical ED, where they may be more willing to seek treatment.
Photo courtesy of Jacobi Medical Center
Senator Gustavo Rivera hosted his sixth annual Back to
School celebration on Thursday, August 1 at Slattery Playground.
Families in the 33rd Senate District received free
backpacks, had free health screenings and enjoyed fun
children-friendly activities at the academic celebration.
(above right) Senator Rivera (2nd from l) and Assemblyman
Pichardo (r) helped local youth pick out their new backpacks
for the upcoming academic year.
(bottom left) Pichardo (l) and Rivera (2nd from r) met with
46th Precinct Community Affairs police offi cers.
(insert) One local student shook Senator Rivera’s hand while
thanking him for his service to the community.
Pichardo (front, c) and Rivera (back, c) met with Bronx
Rising Against Gun Violence members.
Photos by Jewel Webber