St. Joseph's Health Opens Addiction Medicine Office

PATERSON, NJ – St. Joseph’s Health announced on Friday the opening of its new Addiction Medicine Office located at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson at 11 Getty Avenue.

This facility will provide low barrier, evidence-based care for people in the community who are suffering from Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and will be led by Dr. Alexis LaPietra, and a patient navigator.

“We are working to collaborate on efforts to stop suffering, reduce barriers, and utilize the science behind treating Opioid Use Disorder,” LaPietra, Chief Pain Management and Addiction Medicine physician at St. Joseph’s Medical Center said. “Opioid addiction is still surrounded with stigma and shame, but it should not be. It is a treatable, medical condition, and we are here to help.”

Together the team will provide prescriptions and ongoing counseling related to Medication Assisted Treatment as well as address any social determinants of health that are presenting barriers to recovery. Currently, the office is open four hours a week and is able to see 16 to 20 patients, a number LaPietra believes they will be able to "flex up" based on need and through the use of telemedicine as well.

“This is such an important initiative that we have been able to collaborate with the city on at the Department of Behavioral Health,” Tina Miles, Executive Director of Behavioral Health said. “We have always been focused on the underserved, those facing stigma barriers and in getting care and improving the quality of their lives. This is a really exciting opportunity and not only are they getting to be able to work with the science, get the medication that they need to overcome addiction, but we have a navigator there and someone to help them get the additional extra services that they need.”

On hand for the announcement was Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh who celebrated his Administration's efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, including the launch of the Opioid Response Team which has already provided 800 referrals.

"We are in this fight together," he said of the partnership with St. Joseph's Health. "We pledge our unwavering and continued support in this effort to save lives.”

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