New Detox Facility for Low-Income Residents Opens in East County
A new detox facility in Dulzura, California, will soon provide 24 beds specifically for low-income men struggling with addiction. Set to open by June 1, this initiative is a collaboration between Genesis Recovery and the East County Transitional Living Center, a nearby homeless shelter.
"We have people all over San Diego in terrible situations," said Julie Hayden, executive director of Genesis Recovery and CEO of the transitional living center, during the facility’s recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. Hayden emphasized the importance of addressing addiction and homelessness, as many individuals find their way back to stability and become community leaders.
A significant challenge remains in San Diego, where a lack of treatment options has forced many to go without help; about 28% of homeless individuals reported being unable to access necessary treatment. Local recovery programs, including Volunteers of America and Veterans Village of San Diego, ceased operations in recent years due to management issues, leaving fewer than 80 beds countywide covered by Medi-Cal.
The new facility’s remote location is intentional, designed to help participants disconnect from previous environments to facilitate recovery. Newcomers must surrender their phones for the first week to focus entirely on treatment.
Funding for the renovation totaled $80,000, supported by county resources and local organizations. While the facility is anchored in a faith-based community, participants will not be mandated to attend religious services.
Plans for future expansions include applying for grants to build additional beds for both men and women. Advocates like Drew Moser of the Lucky Duck Foundation emphasize that while this new facility marks progress, it still falls short of meeting the vast needs within the community.
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