‘Meeting people where they’re at’: Addiction treatment center supports rural Whatcom County

The Opportunity Council is prioritizing addiction and substance use treatment for rural community members with a new outpatient center in East Whatcom County.

The East Whatcom Regional Resource Center (EWRRC) , an Opportunity Council Community Resource Center in Maple Falls, is now operating an Ideal Option clinic offering specialized outpatient treatment for addiction.

“I think it’s so important to start recognizing the underserved population in the rural community,” Ideal Option Community Outreach Coordinator April Provost said. “It’s where we see the least amount of services, the least amount of support — and it’s just unacceptable.”

The clinic offers a range of services meant to support people along the path to recovery from substance use.

“Being able to meet people where they’re at with services is everything,” Opportunity Council Regional Resource Center Manager Kelly Vogel said.

Bringing substance use treatment to a more rural area of Whatcom County helps eliminate barriers for individuals seeking treatment, Vogel told The Herald. Those seeking care can be inhibited by a lack of transportation or far away follow-up appointments.

“Substance use out here — it’s as prevalent as anywhere else in the county,” Vogel said.

Provost told The Herald that rural community members struggling with addiction also tend to face more stigma. She said she hopes opening the new clinic in Maple Falls will help to reduce that.

“I know from my personal experience of suffering with addiction and mental health in a rural community, it can be very frightening to even admit that you have the problem.”

The opening of this clinic is a direct response to a critical need identified in the community. It’s aimed at increasing the access and visibility of treatment services for people seeking recovery from addiction, according to the Opportunity Council.

“We are here to help heal this community. We are here to bridge those gaps in services and to start to restore those folks who have been struggling and have them be re-embraced back into their communities,” Provost said.

The East Whatcom Regional Resource Center has been operating for years to support residents in East Whatcom County by offering services, hosting community events and offering education. The addition of Ideal Option’s clinic is meant to complement the other programs that help individuals and families access necessary resources, according to the Opportunity Council.

The clinic is open to new and returning patients from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at 8251 Kendall Road in Maple Falls. Most forms of insurance are accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid, to help reduce the potential for financial barriers.

Herald reporter Denver Pratt contributed to this article.