The Rutland Regional Medical center is hoping to open a methadone clinic by fall.
Last week the hospital's board of directors voted to move forward with a state Department of Health plan to open a drug treatment center that police and health officials say is needed to treat people addicted to heroin and prescription painkillers.
Hospital spokeswoman Priscilla Latkin says the target date is Oct. 1
The facility will open with enough staff to handle 400 people a year but will probably not come close to that number of patients during its first 12 months in operation.
Deputy Health Commissioner Barbara Cimaglio tells the Rutland Herald enabling people to be treated locally will allow them to get jobs and be productive citizens.
