The Center for Community Alternatives in Downtown Brooklyn added a new wing to its center to improve its assistance for those dealing with opioid addiction.  

The community center has been providing assistance to New Yorkers affected by the justice system and other hardships for years.  

The existing center dedicated to opioid treatment options is now helping opioid users by offering methadone services to help with their cravings and reduce their use of opioids. The program takes a holistic approach in which each patient's plan is designed for their needs.  

“We can have a person who chooses to be here on a weekly basis, so they'll have treatment that includes group sessions and individual sessions… then there will be somebody who wants to receive methadone and do individual counseling once a month, and that's OK,” says Vanessa Piedtra, director of behavioral health services at the Center for Community Alternatives. 

The center offers additional services such as mental health counseling, court advocacy, job training and resume-building.  

The Center for Community Alternatives is open Monday through Saturday and is always accepting new participants both via walk-in and appointment.