Sullivan County Responds to Catholic Charities Closures

Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties will shutter its chemical dependency clinics across four locations, including Monticello and Goshen, due to staffing shortages and shifting healthcare dynamics. The closures, which include outpatient substance use programs, have raised concerns about addiction treatment gaps in Sullivan County, where opioid overdose rates remain among the highest in New York State.John Liddle, Sullivan County’s Commissioner of Health and Human Services, reassured residents that services will continue through other local providers. “Catholic Charities is not leaving Sullivan County entirely,” said Liddle, citing ongoing case management, housing, and food pantry services. Transition plans are in place for patients currently under Catholic Charities’ care, who will be referred to providers such as Restorative Management, Lexington Center for Recovery, and the county’s Liberty-based mental health clinic.Liddle noted promising trends in overdose statistics. EMS overdose calls have decreased from 35 per month in 2021 to just 14 in 2024. The success of Narcan distribution and initiatives like the Hope Not Handcuffs program have contributed to this decline.“There is hope,” Liddle said. “We’ve built a stronger treatment network, and resources are available for families in crisis.”