Health center looks to reverse opioid epidemic
Posted: Updated:A Tremont health center is looking to reverse the growing opioid epidemic in the Bronx.
Curtis Rhodes, a recovering addict, decided in 2010 to walk into VIP Community Services.
"I spent 14 years in the penal system...in and out of detox," he says. "I got tired of doing the things I was doing."
VIP is working to address the opioid crisis with its treatment program that serves nearly 1,200 patients daily.
After seven years of getting himself help, Rhodes now works to help others.
"I've been where they're at...and I'm helping them see the other side," he says.
VIP services will be able to extend its reach after recently receiving a $2 million loan from nonprofit lenders, Vital Healthcare Capital and the nonprofit Finance Fund. The organization is planning to use some of the money to open a 24-hour crisis center.
The Bronx Top StoriesMore>>
5-alarm fire destroys 7 Fordham stores
5-alarm fire destroys 7 Fordham stores
A five-alarm fire destroyed at least seven businesses in Fordham Tuesday.
A five-alarm fire destroyed at least seven businesses in Fordham Tuesday.
Food pantry opens in Norwood
Food pantry opens in Norwood
Families struggling to make ends meet will now have the support of a new food pantry in Norwood.
Families struggling to make ends meet will now have the support of a new food pantry in Norwood.
Repeat robber targets disabled men in Morrisania
Repeat robber targets disabled men in Morrisania
A robber targeted two disabled men in the same Morrisania apartment building between February and this month, and police are asking for the public to help catch him.
A robber targeted two disabled men in the same Morrisania apartment building between February and this month, and police are asking for the public to help catch him.
Special election held in the Bronx
Special election held in the Bronx
Special election held in the Bronx
A special election is being held in the Bronx Tuesday.
A special election is being held in the Bronx Tuesday.
12 on Health: Bronx woman receives lifesaving epilepsy implant
12 on Health: Bronx woman receives lifesaving epilepsy implant
A Bronx woman has received a new brain implant to help combat her epilepsy.
A Bronx woman has received a new brain implant to help combat her epilepsy.
Word on the Street: Best friends
Word on the Street: Best friends
Finding the person you call your best friend comes at all different ages and takes a different amount of time for everyone. News 12 asked viewers when they formed their longest-lasting friendship.
Finding the person you call your best friend comes at all different ages and takes a different amount of time for everyone. News 12 asked viewers when they formed their longest-lasting friendship.
Tech Check - April 24, 2018
Tech Check - April 24, 2018
News 12's Eric Landskroner presents Tech Check.
Tech Check for Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
Tech Check for Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
Parenting 411: Doona - an all-in-one car seat stroller
Parenting 411: Doona - an all-in-one car seat stroller
The Doona all-in-one car seat stroller is a game-changer.
The Doona all-in-one car seat stroller is a game-changer.
Business Briefs: ABC News, Facebook, Sarah Jessica Parker
Business Briefs: ABC News, Facebook, Sarah Jessica Parker
ABC News will now be up all night.
ABC News will now be up all night.
#N12BX: Plastic bag ban
#N12BX: Plastic bag ban
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has once again introduced legislation that would ban disposable plastic shopping bags.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has once again introduced legislation that would ban disposable plastic shopping bags.
SlideshowsMore>>
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome baby boy
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcome baby boy
It's the third child for Kate and Prince William, and he's fifth in line to the British throne.
It's the third child for Kate and Prince William, and he's fifth in line to the British throne.
Royal families around the world
Royal families around the world
Britain is not the only country with a vast royal family, did you know that there are over two dozen royal families in the world? News 12 compiled a gallery of some of their members.
Britain is not the only country with a vast royal family, did you know that there are over two dozen royal families in the world? News 12 compiled a gallery of some of their members.
Britain is not the only country with a vast royal family, did you know that there are over two dozen royal families in the world? News 12 compiled a gallery of some of their members.
Britain is not the only country with a vast royal family, did you know that there are over two dozen royal families in the world? News 12 compiled a gallery of some of their members.
Guide: National park sites in the tristate area
Guide: National park sites in the tristate area
Statue of Liberty
A guide to the national park sites and trails on Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
A guide to the national park sites and trails on Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and the Hudson Valley.
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
2018 Summer Stadium Tours
Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
Here are the artists who will be performing at tri-state stadiums this summer.
Guide: Amusement Parks
Guide: Amusement Parks
Six Flags Great Adventure
The tri-state area has a handful of amusement parks that you may want to check out this summer.
The tri-state area has a handful of amusement parks that you may want to check out this summer.
2018 SummerStage Festival lineup
2018 SummerStage Festival lineup
SummerStage Festival is a free, outdoor festival of the arts held each year at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
SummerStage Festival is a free, outdoor festival of the arts held each year at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
SummerStage Festival is a free, outdoor festival of the arts held each year at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
SummerStage Festival is a free, outdoor festival of the arts held each year at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
Guide: Baseball stadiums
Guide: Baseball stadiums
The New York Mets play at Citi Field located at 123-01 Roosevelt Ave, Queens, NY 11368. Home opener is March 29.
The New York Mets play at Citi Field located at 123-01 Roosevelt Ave, Queens, NY 11368. Home opener is March 29.
Play ball! Baseball season is upon us for 2018! Whether you're looking to catch your favorite Major League Baseball team or a local game from the minors, here is a guide to stadiums around the tri-state area!
Play ball! Baseball season is upon us for 2018! Whether you're looking to catch your favorite Major League Baseball team or a local game from the minors, here is a guide to stadiums around the tri-state area!
Students organize walkouts over gun violence
Students organize walkouts over gun violence
Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida.
Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. The protests were chosen to line up with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
Students from across the country streamed out of their schools on April 20, 2018 in the latest round of gun-control activism following the February shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. The protests were chosen to line up with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
Musical acts coming this summer to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
Florida Georgia Line is set to rock Atlantic City on July 13.
The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City has announced that it will be opening its doors to the public on June 28 at the site of the old Trump Taj Mahal. Throughout the summer and early fall, the Hard Rock will live up to its name with a lineup of some of music's biggest stars.
The Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City has announced that it will be opening its doors to the public on June 28 at the site of the old Trump Taj Mahal. Throughout the summer and early fall, the Hard Rock will live up to its name with a lineup of some of music's biggest stars.
Former first lady Barbara Bush through the years
Former first lady Barbara Bush through the years
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
Barbara Bush, the snowy-haired first lady and mother of a president whose plainspoken manner and utter lack of pretense made her more popular at times than her husband, President George H.W. Bush, died Tuesday, a family spokesman said. She was 92.
