County Executive Joins County Council and Other Officials to Celebrate Opening of New Avery Road Treatment Center; State-of-the-Art Facility Provides Residential and Outpatient Services for Substance Use Disorders

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 4, 2021

County Executive Marc Elrich today joined County Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Evan Glass, Will Jawando, Sidney Katz and Hans Riemer; Department of General Services (DGS) Director David Dise; Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director Dr. Raymond Crowel and Rebecca Fishman and Meghan Westwood, Potomac Healthcare Foundation, to cut the ribbon on the newly opened Avery Road Treatment Center in Rockville. The new, 37,682 square-foot treatment facility, located at 14703 Avery Road, replaces the former building that had been located at the same site.

“Substance use disorders do not discriminate based on age, race, neighborhood, income level or gender,” said County Executive Elrich. “As we continue responding to the acute opioid epidemic, the new Avery Road Treatment Center will ensure that residents, particularly those from underserved communities with limited resources, have access to the highest level of care for addiction treatment.”

The contemporary three-story facility provides 64 residential beds for non-hospital detoxification and intermediate-care residential substance use disorder treatment and provides outpatient programming for a broad range of addiction treatment options in a “one stop shop” recovery campus. Montgomery County now provides the unique advantages of being able to keep patients in treatment from the initial contact in detox, through outpatient care, all in one location. This is an advantage in addressing the issues related to the treatment of substance use disorders and the opioid epidemic.

Historically, patients had to change providers and programs as their treatment needs changed.  Patients can now find the right treatment intervention for them in one location. The longer patients can stay engaged in treatment, the better the outcomes. The “campus” provides evidence-based treatment and promoting a culture and community rooted in principles of recovery and wellness.  This is a model treatment setting unique to Montgomery County. The master plan for this project also includes a future facility to provide additional recovery beds for young adults in early recovery who require the additional treatment supports offered by the programs on the campus.

“According to local health officials, nearly 2,400 Maryland residents died from drug and alcohol related incidents in 2019,” said Gabe Albornoz, vice president of the County Council. “Substance abuse continues to be an incessant crisis and the repercussions among residents are profound and life-altering. By providing comprehensive wrap-around residential and outpatient services, the Avery Road Treatment Center will provide hope to residents in crisis and ensure that no one continues to suffer in silence.”

Montgomery County Government and Potomac Healthcare Foundation Ltd. (PHF), a not-for-profit organization associated with Maryland Treatment Centers, and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) engaged in a unique public-private partnership with the project. Each partner contributed a percentage of the funding needed to design, build, and operate the program. State funding was obtained through the MDH Office of Facilities Management and Development bond fund program for capital projects, while the County funding came through the Montgomery County Capital Improvement Program. 

“Last year, in the midst of the pandemic opioid overdose deaths increased by 29 percent in Montgomery County,” said DHHS Director Dr. Crowel.  “This new facility and the services provided inside strengthen our ability to combat addiction and offers hope and support to persons in recovery.” 

PHF will operate the programs under the administration of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services.  Operating funds will come from the County’s Department of Health and Human Services and Maryland Medicaid Assistance. Potomac Healthcare Foundation obtained funding from Eagle Bank.

“Our partnership with Potomac Healthcare, and general contractor, Costello Construction, is yet another example of the many public-private partnerships Montgomery County has successfully completed over the years, said DGS Director Dise.  “It is particularly gratifying to see this manifest in a modern, well-built critical healthcare facility such as this.”

“Potomac Healthcare Foundation and Maryland Treatment Centers are thrilled to be part of this innovative approach to providing lifesaving services,” said Meghan Westwood, executive director.  “We applaud Montgomery County’s commitment to compassionate care to an often marginalized and stigmatized community and understand how meaningful this beautiful and welcoming facility will be to those seeking help to recover from the devastating disease of addiction.” 

Under the management of the County’s Department of General Services and under contract to PHF, Noelker & Hull Associates, Inc. provided architectural services for this project and Costello Construction Inc. served as the general contractor for construction. The design-build cost for the project was $14.6 million.

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Release ID: 21-427
Media Contact: Mary Anderson 240-777-6507