STEUBENVILLE — Area residents grappling with addiction are about three months away from being able to access detox and residential treatment services in their own backyard, an opportunity community leaders say is long overdue.

The Milton Jefferson Recovery Center is expected to be up and running by Oct. 1 in the old Lancia nursing home behind the Fort Steuben Mall. It’s been approved for 40 beds for detox and residential services to start, though it potentially can grow to 100 beds.

“It means people who need this service will not have to wait days to get in a facility for help and then drive hours to get it,” said Jefferson County Commissioner Tony Morelli, who considers it a godsend for those battling addiction as well as their families. “There’s also an economic (dividend), it can bring good jobs to our community.”

Erin Austin, Milton Jefferson’s business development director, said the focus will be on providing a continuum of care to those looking for a way out of addiction.

“We believe this is a much-needed and long-overdue resource for the region,” Austin said. “One that will offer individuals not just treatment, but hope, healing and the opportunity to reclaim their lives.”

Austin said the recovery center will be staffed and open around the clock because when it comes to getting someone into recovery, “There’s no banking hours.”

“It’s very important that when someone says they’re ready, they have quick access to get into treatment,” she said. “So we’ll provide transportation as well — if it’s 3 a.m. and they call our intake team, we’re doing a pre-screen, we’re sending transportation and we’re getting them in the facility.”

Austin said the average length of stay will be tailored to the needs of individual clients: While the average is likely to be 30 to 45 days plus detox time, the staff will go to bat with insurers to get patients longer stays when their recovery path warrants.

“You have detox, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and then your after carrier, one-on-one, and things like that,” Austin said. “So our case managers will set them up with a PHP (partial hospitalization) program — and oftentimes, it’s a PHP with housing program as a lot of our folks are coming off the streets. That’s one of the case management team’s main responsibilities — to set up that continuum of care so they’re not with us for 30 days and then just returning to the streets.”

Overdose death rates have fallen dramatically over the past three years locally as well as statewide, but community leaders say there’s still a lot of work to be done — and having a facility in the tri-county area capable of treating those gripped by addiction when they reach rock bottom and are ready to accept help is a leap forward.

Health District Director Andrew Henry said numbers may be declining, but there’s still a need for treatment.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “There’s a need and it will serve more than just Jefferson County — it will help the entire Ohio Valley Medicaid population in need of recovery services.

Mayor Jerry Barilla, who lives near the Lancia site, said not everybody will like the idea, “but personally, I think any place that can help people recover from drug addiction is a positive thing.”

“That’s what we’re called to do, help people,” he said. “When people get hooked on drugs, places like that can help. With help, it’s possible for people with addictions to be rehabilitated, whether it’s from drugs, alcohol, sex or gambling. I’m in favor of anything that can help people recover from addiction.”

Michelle Corella is executive director of the new treatment center.