Homeless left waiting weeks for drug treatment, mental health care

Please Hurry! –      

February 17, 2020 – “When you look at homelessness, one of the pieces is drug addiction, and it needs to be tackled and addressed with intensity,” Carlos Baldovinos, the executive director of the Mission at Kern County, said.

The Kern County point in time count from January 2019 found that 51% of the individuals surveyed reported being addicted to drugs. 

If they decided to seek treatment, they could have to wait weeks to get it. That’s because California’s MediCal insurance funds medication, but does not provide reimbursement for hospital providers, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh explained.

“That’s a huge, huge barrier,” Goh said, adding that “after a person does participate in detox, there can be a two to three month wait” before receiving mental health treatment.

@BakersfieldNow

Leonard Buschel

Recent Posts

Pete Davidson Admitted To Rehab Again In ‘bad shape’

VIDEO – AT THE GATES OF SALVATION – Nov. 18, 2024 - “He checked into…

19 hours ago

Where does that leave marijuana?

TIME WILL TELL – Nov. 11, 2024 - President-elect Donald Trump is expected to come…

3 days ago

Cannabis Use Linked to Epigenetic Changes – Cancer Risk

POT IS SO OBSOLETE – Nov. 15, 2024 -  Cannabis is a “genotoxic” substance because…

3 days ago

Vending Machines Offer Clean Free Needles and Narcan

NPR AUDIO – STICK WITH THE WINNERS!  – Nov. 14, 2024 - “I don’t shoot…

3 days ago

This Book Will Save Your Life: The New Medical Cure for Opioid Addiction

NEW BOOK! READING MATTERS – Nov. 15, 2024 - “This is a pointed and urgent…

3 days ago

15 Incredible Films With Gut-Wrenchingly Depictions of Alcoholism

DON’T MISS THESE – 2023 - 1. “Barfly” (1987) Directed by Barbet Schroeder and based…

3 days ago