The Opioid Crisis in Vermont - and Implications for Essex

In mid- September, the State of Vermont announced that waiting lists for opioid treatment programs have been eliminated.  This accomplishment should mean addicts seeking help can get it quickly, instead of waiting for months. 

Bob Bick was at the center of the press conference that announced this accomplishment, and days after the announcement Mr. Bick penned an opinion piece published broadly in Vermont media.  Here is a link to VTDigger’s version - Opioid Treatment Programs Reach Milestone.  

The Vermont Department of Health has published a 2-page summary of services and basic data on opioid addiction.  You can read it here. 

Bob will talk to us about the scope of the opiate epidemic in Vermont, recent treatment gains, and any specific knowledge he has about the problem here in Essex, Jericho, and Westford. 

Mr. Bob Bick was Director of mental health and substance abuse services at Howard Center, Inc. Mr. Bick led Champlain Drug and Alcohol Services until 1994, when it merged with Howard Center. He has worked in senior positions at the Howard Center since 1994 and became Chief Executive Officer in January 2015. 

Bob is a licensed substance abuse counselor and serves on many state and local boards, including the board of the Vermont Care Network, the Advisory Committee of the Green Mountain Care Board and the Governor's Criminal Justice and Substance Abuse Cabinet. He has a master's degree in clinical psychology from the University of Hartford and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota.