ALFRED — Ten months after Layman Way Recovery Center opened its doors on the grounds of York County Jail, 12 people who were addicted to drugs or alcohol — opioids for the most part — have graduated, and three others are set to do so this month.

So far, there have been no reports of any of the dozen graduates relapsing, program personnel say. Graduates stay in touch with the program with substance abuse counseling and other services.

The first graduates completed the program on Nov. 7.

Layman Way Recovery Center is a collaboration between York County government and York County Shelter Programs.  The residential program is designed to provide treatment to those  in the throes of addiction who are charged with non-violent crimes and are York County residents. They are people who cannot make bail or are not eligible for bail and are awaiting trial at York County Jail. Most clients, who undergo screening before they are admitted to the program, typically live at the center for up to six months while undergoing intensive treatment.

In all, 49 people have been admitted to the program. Though 85 people were referred, for one reason or another, whether to do with their criminal history or readiness to commit, not all were admitted.

Those admitted hail from 22 of York County’s 29 municipalities. Of those, nine are from Biddeford, nine from Sanford, nine from Saco and the rest come from 19 other York County communities.

About 10 people have left, because they weren’t ready for recovery, staff members say. A couple of those walked out the door. All who leave the program are charged with violating bail conditions and are returned to jail, said York County District Attorney Kathryn Slattery.

York County Commissioners and York County Budget Committee members recently visited the center and talked with staff, York County Shelter Programs personnel and others.

“This (program) is exactly what people are talking about, and we’re doing something about it,” said York County Manager Greg Zinser of the county’s efforts to help ease the opioid epidemic.

About 85 percent of those admitted to the program are there because of opioids and the remaining 15 percent because of alcohol, said YCSP Clinical Director Jen Ouellette.

Those who live at the center have a full day, and take part in a full range of programs. Wake up call is 6:30 a.m., and there are chores after breakfast. Meetings and group sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 11:30 a.m., when individual counseling sessions begin. After lunch, there are more groups sessions, and more individual counseling, 12 step meetings, and more. There is television time at 8:30 p.m. and lights go out at 11 p.m., a schedule shows. A family session is set for weekends, where residents and their families can attend a typical session together. All residents are required to keep a daily journal, which is reviewed with a counselor bi-weekly. High school equivalency programs, medical and nutritional education, parenting education, job seeking support, peer recovery services, fitness and exercise and pet therapy are also provided.

Programming includes motivational interviewing, cognitive behavior therapy, medication assisted treatment with suboxone and more.

There are no computers, no gaming consoles and no cell phones.

Layman Way Recovery Center, which is licensed through the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, can accommodate 24 people, and as of Feb. 6, 22 were in residence.

The program had been set up for 12 men and 12 woman, but managers are finding that fewer women are interested in the program, so there has been some doubling up in the men’s living section of the center, said YCSP Chief Executive Officer Bob Dawber.

Women are thought to be less likely to be interested in a six-month program because they are often mothers who are looking to get back to their children as soon as they can, Dawber indicated.

“A mom may say ‘I can get out in one or two months,”’ if she stays in jail, rather than entering the residential treatment program, Dawber added.

As well, contrary to earlier beliefs, it isn’t the newly addicted who are typically looking for treatment, but those who have been misusing drugs or alcohol for many years, he added.

York County government funds the program entirely on its own. About $250,000 from a reserve account was initially earmarked for the program and $500,000 was budgeted this fiscal year. From July through December, $419,000 was spent, according to figures supplied by Zinser. The county has $500,000 earmarked in reserves, he said, and is poised to request $750,000 through the budgeting process for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

In all, Layman Way Recovery Center employs 14 full-time staff and four part-time staff. The figure does not include the services of York County Shelter Programs staff, from the director to clinical director, psychiatrist and other members of the administrative team who also work there, said YCSP Chief Operating Officer Diane Gerry.

The cost of the program works out to about $85 a day, Zinser said Wednesday.

That’s less than the cost to house someone at York County Jail, which was estimated to be about $120 a day when the cost was last figured a couple of years ago, he said.

Zinser said the county is examining further initiatives in conjunction with other potential partners  for developing a housing program for graduates in a separate, currently empty, wing at the Layman Way Recovery Center building that could bring in some funding.

“We’re constantly looking at other revenue streams,” he said.

The county had approached state government for funding a couple of years ago, but that was not forthcoming. That might change, he said with the change in the state administration. However, federal government’s policies remain the same – and that is where governmental funding originates.

“This program is working terrifically,” said York County Commission Chairman Richard Dutremble.

As commissioners and budget committee members entered a conference room to talk, they walked by several residents, who were having a group counseling session.

“We’re grateful for you guys,” one resident called out.

“Thank you,” said another.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.