Original article can be found at the Medina Gazette.
Jose Flores, a case management supervisor for Fortaleza Treatment Centers, which deals with opiate addition, said his job at times is “very gratifying.”
Flores, who spoke at the Medina County commissioners meeting Tuesday, recalled a conversation he had with one of Fortaleza’s clients.
“She told me she was going to spend Christmas with her kids sober for the first time in 40 years,” he said. “It blew me away. I was floored.”
Flores said the woman still attends Fortaleza’s recovery maintenance program and is doing well.
“My job has its moments,” he said.
Fortaleza LLC opened an outpatient treatment center at 1839 Pearl Road, Suites 201 and 202, in Brunswick, about three months ago. It already has locations in Elyria and Cleveland.
“We specialize in opiate addiction,” Flores said.
He said addiction is out of control.
“It’s everybody or anybody,” Flores said. “I’m running into people who get addicted to opiate pain pills and run out of money and have to use heroin. It’s a common story.”
In case management, he said there are a many addiction issues his clients have to overcome. They might have untreated medical conditions, legal issues, family issues or even need a driver’s license.
“Our case management systems help resolve those barriers for clients,” the Lorain resident said.
“We’ll set them up with a family doctor, get them hooked up with mental health services. We get them access to the services they need.
“It’s hard to pay attention to counseling when they are worrying about where they are going to sleep that night or how they are going to feed their kids. It’s hard to recover with all these pressing needs. We’re chipping away at the barriers to help them succeed. We want to give people hope.”
Flores said there are four employees at the Brunswick location that has about 25 clients.
“We have a small staff,” he said. “As the needs grow, we’ll grow that office. We’re willing to partner with anybody.”
Flores said he’s spoken to Brunswick Police Department advocate Rebecca Rak, Medina County Drug Abuse Commission director Brian Nowak and the Rev. Bob Stec of St. Ambrose Catholic Church.
“Our CEO (Anthony Villa) has done a remarkable job meeting the needs of whatever community we’re in,” he said.
He said the Brunswick location is not a one-stop shop.
“We can’t provide all their needs,” Flores said. “Some of the services are outsourced. We don’t run a detox program or have a residential treatment center. When they’re done, they come back to us.”
He said the Cleveland location, which opened in February, has about 75 to 80 clients. The Elyria center, which opened in July 2013, has more than 150 clients.
One of Fortaleza’s specialties is dealing with pregnant mothers addicted to opiates.
“It’s hard to understand just how all-consuming addiction is with people,” Flores said. “It doesn’t matter if they have overdosed or had their kids taken away from them, they keep using. The compulsion to get high is so compelling. We have to break that cycle.”
He said the pregnant women oftentimes are young and don’t have strong family support.
“When they are angry, they get high,” Flores said. “Being high is a normal state for them.”
Fortaleza has an OB/GYN doctor on staff to treat pregnant patients.
“We also have a mini-detox program for moms who can’t stay clean,” he said.
Fortaleza means “strength” in Spanish.
“Our motto is to strengthen individuals, families and the community,” Flores said. “They all work hand in hand, one individual at a time.”
He said addiction problems cost Ohio billions of dollars a year.
“There’s no price tag on what it costs our families,” Flores said.
Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or [email protected].
