Connecticut’s first state-funded methadone vans expand access to treatment

In Connecticut, the state has launched its first mobile methadone units, a significant expansion of treatment access for those struggling with opioid use disorder. For Frankie DeJesus, a recovery support specialist, the lack of mobile methadone units was a major barrier to his recovery process. In 2012, DeJesus, who resides in Enfield, would spend nearly a year and a half traveling to Hartford's Root Center for methadone treatment, a 30-minute drive each way.

The clinic's limited dosing windows and rush hour traffic made it difficult for DeJesus to receive his dose in time, often requiring him to miss work or take the HOV lane to ensure arrival at the clinic.

The new mobile units, funded by more than $4 million from opioid settlement funds, aim to overcome these challenges and improve access to treatment. The APT Foundation launched two vans in July, serving communities along the Greater New Haven and southeastern shoreline, while the CHR's van will begin traveling across northeastern Connecticut on August 18.

These units will serve regions with limited access to methadone clinics, such as Windham, where 62.9 unintentional drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people were reported in 2024, four times the national average.

Methadone, one of the three FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder, reduces cravings and alleviates withdrawal symptoms. However, its tightly regulated status means clients must visit certified clinics for treatment, often traveling long distances that may not be feasible for those relying on public transportation. By bringing methadone treatment directly to these underserved communities, the mobile units will not only expand access to life-saving care but also reduce the stigma associated with seeking treatment.