FORT MYERS, Fla. — Starting next month, people will have to go a hundred miles north to the Plant City location for detox services.
Whitesands COO Joe Ducey says they’re focusing on more long-term services at the Fort Myers location like intensive outpatient care.
They will send people needing detox services to Plant City, which is near Tampa.
Local treatment providers like Brenda Iliff with nonprofit Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation say no matter where their services move; it’s crucial to support people battling alcohol and drug addiction right here.
Losing services will not only affect patients but employees, too. Ducey says 35 to 40 employees will lose their jobs.
Iliff says they’ve already hired some Whitesands employees within the last couple months.
She also says patients looking for detox services can go to Hazelden in Naples if they want to stay in Southwest Florida.
There are many good local providers. We at Hazelden will be more than happy to step up to assist people if they do need services.
Saluscare is another treatment center that offers detox services in Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
