Former Barney’s Pastrami Location On Evergreen Way In Everett, Washington Set To Become Opioid Addiction Treatment Center

Yesterday the Health & Human Services Committee of the City Council in Everett, Washington got a briefing from John Koch, Director of Community & Public Relations for Community Medical Services on plans to turn the building at 5130 Evergreen Way in Everett, Washington into a Medication Assisted Treatment Center for those experiencing opioid use disorder.

Mr. Koch told the committee that Community Medical Services was founded in Phoenix in 1983 and currently operates 73 clinics in 14 different States across the United States. Everett would be their first location in Washington State.

He explained they offer 3 FDA-approved medications to treat opioid use disorder. Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. He says the center uses a combination of outpatient medication-assisted treatment plus counseling and community-based services.

The center will open at 4:30 AM to accommodate people on their way to work. They have a no loitering policy and plan to have navigators walking Evergreen Way to talk with people who are houseless as well as the neighboring businesses to explain how their center operates. In addition they will conduct outreach and work with other service agencies in Everett and Snohomish County to assist those suffering from opioid addiction.

According to Community Medical Services website the goal of MAT is to find the lowest possible dose of a medication that will relieve withdrawal symptoms and cravings for a 24-hour period. The medications used in MAT, at a stable dose, do not have any adverse effects on an individual’s ability to work, drive, care for their children, or otherwise live a healthy life. They also offer individual and group counseling, peer support and walk-in services for same day intakes.

The building is the former home of Northwest Camera Repair and Barney’s Pastrami, located just north of 52nd and Evergreen Way. It is currently undergoing remodeling and Koch told the committee they are working on getting all of the Federal, State and local approvals and hope to have an open house in late Spring of next year.

Mr. Koch provided the committee with his email address (john.koch@cmsgiveshope.com) and advised he was looking forward to talking with community members and neighborhood groups about their plans preferably in a one on one environment. He advised he had personally found the location and wanted it on a main street. “We’re looking to talk to the most people and get the word out there,” he said. “We’re not here to hide this, if we were here to hide this we’d put it behind a building somewhere and lease some space that people can’t see.”

Community Medical Services will be joining other Medication Assisted Treatment providers currently operating near 100th and Evergreen Way in south Everett and the 4300 blocks of Hoyt and Colby in central Everett.

You can click below to watch the briefing to the Health & Human Services Committee.