The scarcity of substance abuse treatment facilities between Lincoln and Denver has sparked concern among healthcare professionals. Kristine Kasperbauer, CEO of Revive, described the situation as “a literal desert,” highlighting the limited and sporadic treatment options available in the region.
According to an analysis by Flatwater Free Press, based on data from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Nebraska hosts only 12 inpatient treatment centers outside of its major cities, Omaha and Lincoln. Notably, five of these centers are located in Norfolk.
Among these 12 centers, just four provide detox services. Revive and a smaller facility in O’Neill are the sole centers offering such services outside of eastern Nebraska. These facilities, centrally located, are over 300 miles from the state’s western boundary.
The staff at Revive have observed a rising demand for substance abuse treatment, juxtaposed with dwindling financial resources. This financial strain is compounded by federal budget cuts and recent legislative decisions in Nebraska, reducing funds available for the Hastings-based treatment center.
Nebraska’s inadequate data collection on overdose fatalities may also disadvantage Revive. As reported, such data is crucial for determining the allocation of state and federal funding. Underreporting drug-related deaths can exacerbate the disparity between community needs and the resources they receive.
Kristine Kasperbauer emphasized the relentless nature of the demand for treatment: “It never ends,” she said. “We’re glad to be able to do what we can, but it’s not enough.”
The Treatment Desert
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Derrek Cocchiarella, seeking help for his substance abuse issues, reached out to his mother, Linette Cocchiarella. “Mom, I need to get clean,” he told her. “I need you to help me out here, I need to go to detox.”
Linette’s attempts to find a suitable treatment facility were met with challenges. A center in Lincoln had an available bed but was unable to admit patients from outside the county due to COVID restrictions. Another closer facility in Grand Island required Derrek to undergo a five-day self-detox before admission.
“It was just like one wall after another,” Linette said, describing the barriers they faced. Eventually, Derrek detoxed at home before being sent over 100 miles away to Norfolk for treatment. Tragically, he spent the final months of his life there before succumbing to an overdose at his family home north of Hastings.
