Clinic Closure Hampers Methadone Access for More than 1000

Extensive damage from a frozen pipe that burst forced the closure of Washington state’s largest single-site methadone treatment provider in January. While it makes repairs at its Seattle-based clinic, Evergreen Treatment Services is shuttling patients seeking treatment for opioid addiction to another clinic in Renton, Washington, about 25 minutes away.

“On January 14, a sprinkler valve burst at our Seattle Clinic, leading to catastrophic flooding and significant damage,” a patient notice posted on the Evergreen Treatment Services website stated. “The building is unsafe for staff and patients and will be closed until further notice.” The closure affects approximately 1300 people, “some of whom are the most marginalized folks in our community,” Sean Soth, Evergreen Treatment Services’ director of health integration and innovation, told a local TV news station.

“It is a huge inconvenience for everyone …,” he said. “Not only is it now an hour round trip for folks, when it used to be about a 5-minute trip to see us.”

In a January 25, 2024, letter to patients posted on its website, Evergreen Treatment Services said it was working as quickly as possible to assess the situation and open for service again.

“The risks of not having medication, you know, ultimately, is overdose and death,” Soth told KIRO 7 News. “There’s also a big risk of relapse for our patients, and the more barriers there are, the more difficult it is for them to get to treatment, the higher that risk becomes.” Evergreen Treatment Services deemed the closure a public health crisis and has organized a flood relief fund.

References

Evergreen Treatment Services. Seattle clinic closure. Accessed January 30, 2024. https://www.evergreentreatment.org/

Lomibao S. Frozen pipe explosion delays access to medication for over 1000 people in Seattle. KIRO 7 News. January 21, 2024. Accessed January 26, 2024.