San Diego County Expands Detox Services to Combat Substance Abuse

San Diego County supervisors Paloma Aguirre and Monica Montgomery Steppe have announced a significant expansion of residential withdrawal management services, commonly referred to as detox services. This initiative, revealed during a press conference earlier this month, aims to address the pressing issues of homelessness and substance use within the county.

The new plan includes the addition of 44 treatment beds in downtown San Diego, a move that Aguirre states will provide essential support to approximately 2,700 individuals each year. This expansion is critical, given that an estimated 10,000 people in the region sleep unsheltered every night. Aguirre emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that in the past year, 293 lives were lost due to drug- or alcohol-related causes.

“Homelessness and substance abuse disorder continue to be among the biggest challenges facing San Diego County,” Aguirre said. “These numbers represent real people and a system that needs to do better. We have a chance to change that. To build a system that saves lives instead of losing them.”

Currently, in District 1, there are only two withdrawal management beds available, a number Aguirre described as drastically insufficient for the community’s needs. “That leaves many waiting in the emergency room or struggling in the streets without support,” she added. “This isn’t about a lack of compassion; it’s about the need for urgency.”

Montgomery Steppe, representing District 4, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that downtown and central San Diego are particularly affected by homelessness and substance use. She expressed hope that the increased availability of detox services will allow individuals seeking help to access it more efficiently.

“Addiction doesn’t stop at district boundaries; it’s a countywide challenge that demands resources where the need is greatest,” Montgomery Steppe stated. “Every day, San Diegans struggling with substance use disorder are reaching out for help, and too often they are being told there are no beds available for them.”

The expansion of detox services is part of a broader strategy to tackle the intertwined issues of homelessness and addiction in San Diego County. As the community grapples with these challenges, the addition of treatment beds is seen as a vital step towards improving the lives of those affected.

In closing, Aguirre and Montgomery Steppe’s initiative marks a concerted effort to build a more effective support system for individuals battling substance use disorder, ultimately contributing to the overall health and stability of the region.