Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority
Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority
Covington, VA – The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) joined local leaders and partners earlier this month to celebrate the opening of the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board’s (AHCS) new Substance Use Continuum of Care Clinic, one of the fastest award-to-opening projects of its size and scale funded by the OAA to date.
Supported by a $3.9 million investment that includes an OAA award alongside approximately $300,000 in opioid settlement funds contributed by Alleghany County and the City of Covington, the new facility represents a model for how quickly strategic funding and strong local partnerships can translate into expanded access to life-saving services.
“This project demonstrates what’s possible when communities move with urgency and alignment to address substance use disorder,” said Senator Todd Pillion, Chair of the OAA Board of Directors. “From award to opening, this has been one of the fastest projects we’ve seen at this scale, and it reflects a shared commitment to delivering real solutions for Virginians in need.”
Located at 311 S. Monroe Avenue in Covington, the 9,600-square-foot facility creates a comprehensive, one-stop continuum of care for individuals facing opioid and substance use disorders across the AHCS service region. By bringing a full spectrum of services under one roof, the clinic is designed to reduce barriers to care—an especially critical need in rural communities.
The facility includes group and individual therapy rooms, pharmacy services, case management, recovery court services, intensive outpatient treatment, telehealth psychiatry, medication-assisted treatment, Suboxone services, peer drop-in support, drug testing and community meeting space for recovery groups such as Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. It also features training and conference space, as well as flexible office areas for partner organizations working with clients on employment and life stabilization goals.
“This new clinic reflects our long-term commitment to meeting people where they are and supporting their recovery journey,” said AHCS Executive Director Ingrid Barber. “By co-locating services and partners, we are creating a more connected, responsive system of care for our community.”
The facility’s design emphasizes coordinated, patient-centered care, allowing providers to collaborate in real time, adjust treatment plans and connect individuals with the resources they need to overcome obstacles and achieve long-term recovery.
Given the rural geography of the Alleghany Highlands, the ability to access multiple services in a single location is expected to significantly improve outcomes for individuals navigating recovery, while also strengthening the region’s broader response to substance use disorder.
Established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021, the OAA is responsible for distributing and overseeing the use of opioid settlement funds across the Commonwealth. Through strategic investments, data-driven decision-making and collaboration with local partners, the OAA works to expand access to prevention, treatment and recovery services and reduce the impact of opioid use disorder in Virginia communities.
For more information about the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority and its work, visit voaa.us.