The ongoing debate about how many rehab facilities are too many got another chapter when deputies were called to a local drug treatment housing facility after a former client refused to leave and allegedly got aggressive with staff.
According to workers on site, the confrontation started when the man demanded to take his Suboxone with him — and staff said no.
💊 What’s Suboxone, and Why the Fight?
Suboxone is a prescription medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction. It combines buprenorphine and naloxone, helping people manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings — without the high.
But Suboxone is also highly regulated, and clinics often require strict supervision when dispensing it. Taking it off-site without approval can raise legal and safety concerns — which is likely why staff denied the request.
🚔 Officers Called In, Patient Relocated
Instead of arresting the man, deputies chose to de-escalate the situation. They transported him to another facility on 6th Street in Portsmouth to continue treatment and keep the peace.
🏥 Too Much Treatment? Or Not Enough Control?
This incident reignites the debate over the dense concentration of rehab and recovery facilities in Scioto County, which already has one of the highest overdose death rates in Ohio.
Supporters say:
- The area desperately needs access to treatment.
- MAT like Suboxone is evidence-based care that saves lives.
Critics argue:
- There are too many facilities crammed into too few neighborhoods.
- It leads to frequent police calls, disruptive behavior, and a strain on local resources.
📢 Bottom line: Whether it’s a miracle drug or a management nightmare, Suboxone is at the center of Scioto County’s rehab turf war — and officers are stuck playing referee.
