SEARHC and KTBC Agree to a Process for Establishing an Outpatient Substance Use Disorders Clinic to Support the Ketchikan Community
JUNEAU, Alaska – Substance misuse and addiction is a serious and growing problem in Ketchikan that negatively impacts all community members. In the Fall of 2023, The Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) charged the Ketchikan Tribal Business Corporation (KTBC) with developing a comprehensive intensive outpatient addiction clinic and opioid treatment program to help address this community crisis. To that end, KIC and KTBC are pleased to announce that they have signed a memorandum of understanding as a key step toward a partnership with SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) to implement a comprehensive outpatient substance use disorder and opioid use disorder treatment program intensive for the people of Ketchikan. The targeted opening date for the Recovery In SouthEast (RISE) Wellness Center is summer 2024.
“KTBC is eager to offer outpatient substance abuse and opioid treatment care to the people of Ketchikan, and we look forward to building a strong partnership with SEARHC and supporting the health and well-being of our entire community,” said Peter Jensen, Chairman, KTBC Board of Directors.
Clinical services will be focused on Native and non-Native community members struggling with substance use disorders (SUD). Proposed SUD services will include individual, family and group therapy, behavioral health case management, and specialized medication interventions for substance and opioid use disorders.
Over the past two years, SEARHC has successfully established similar Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) in Juneau, Sitka and Klawock. OTPs are evidence-based and offer a combination of medication (including Buprenorphine and Methadone) and behavior therapy interventions to reduce cravings and side effects from opioid dependence while individuals work toward recovery. SUD services in Ketchikan will be integrated with SEARHC’s other Behavioral Health programs across the region, allowing for flexibility with both in-person and telemedicine appointments. SEARHC and KTBC will coordinate with KIC’s existing clinical services as the compacted Indian Health Service (IHS) provider in Ketchikan.
“SEARHC understands the long-standing stigma attributed to those experiencing substance use disorder and will, without hesitation, work cooperatively with local community partners, including KTBC, to both remove barriers and promote access to treatment and recovery for the community of Ketchikan, Southeast Alaska and the State of Alaska,” said Eric Gettis, Senior Vice President & Chief of Behavioral Health, SEARHC. “This partnership affirms SEARCH’s commitment to providing all members of our communities with excellent care, helping to ensure that we’re growing stronger, together.”
The center will also provide alcohol, methamphetamine and other substance dependence treatment. Over the coming months, KTBC will be working with SEARHC to finalize a partnership agreement and build-out the RISE Wellness Center, KTBC’s facility in Ketchikan.
For more information about the SEARHC Opioid Treatment Programs, call 907.463.0600 or visit searhc.org/opioidtreatment.
About SEARHC
Established in 1975, SEARHC is one of the largest Native-run healthcare organization in the United States. As an independent and nonprofit health Consortium, SEARHC provides health-related services in 27 communities throughout Southeast Alaska. Visit searhc.org for more information.
About KTBC
Established in December 2020 as a wholly-owned for-profit company of Ketchikan Indian Community, KTBC began to actively build its operations in January 2023 and now comprises five subsidiary companies operating in several business sectors in Ketchikan and throughout the United States.
Media Contacts: Kathryn Sweyer, searchnewsroom@searhc.org 206.484.0591
KTBC | communications@ktntbc.com, 907.247.5822
Download the press release here.