Younger than Springtime –
June 6, 2018 – She said abuse of substances such as heroin is on the rise. Buckley said in 2016, 23 percent of the admitted patients were diagnosed with opiate addiction. So far in 2018, 32 percent of such patients have that diagnosis. “We’re only halfway through this year and we’re already more than what we were for all of last year,” she said. There’s a monthlong waiting list to get one of the 14 beds reserved for 16- to 20-year-olds. To keep up with demand, the facility has doubled the number of beds for 12- to 15-year-olds. There are now 14 of them. “People are coming in as soon as they can,” Buckley said. When children get to Rose Hill, they’re given a teddy bear, assigned a social worker and counselor, they receive three meals a day and get educational and recreational time. “They’re tools they can use to overcome their obstacles so that when they leave after 90 days,” Buckley said. “Physically, they look different. They look healthier. Their skin, their complexion clears up.” She said seeing them go gives her hope, watching them try again with a clean start.
