Lack of funding leads to closure of key recovery program for Northwest Florida teens

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Northwest Florida has lost its only teen drug abuse program.

The Transitional and Recovery Care for Adolescents Expansion Program, or TRACE, treats children ages 13 to 21 who have a history of substance use or are at high risk for substance use.

Unfortunately, the program lost funding and was disbanded. There are no other comparable programs in Northwest Florida.

“There isn’t,” said Carly Riccio, behavioral health manager at Health and Hope Clinic. “The need continues to grow because we’re getting numbers that show overdoses are up. Reports of use are up, not just in adults, but in teens as well.”

There are many resources out there on mental or behavioral health, addiction, and more, but none that specialize in helping children with substance abuse issues.

“The closest treatment for substance use disorder in adolescents and those under 18 is in Lakeland, Florida,” Riccio says. “If that’s not the specific intent, the resource may be great, but the teens may not be getting the quality treatment and care that, for lack of a better word, could solve the problem.”

Families in our community reached out to WEAR when the TRACE program was disbanded, wondering why and what to do now. One local father tells us the program has made a difference for his son.

“One of the questions we ask is, ‘At what age did you start using drugs or alcohol? At what age did you have your first experience with drugs or alcohol?’ And it’s almost always before age 18,” Riccio says.

We learned that the program was started with a federal grant that ended last September. The Lakeview Center was later able to secure state funding to continue the program, but that funding is no longer available either. And the need for programs like this in our community is great.

“As we know, fentanyl is in everything, including substances that teenagers consume,” Riccio explains.

The Lakeview Center says it has transferred people who used the program to others it offers. But the loss of the program is another battle for those battling addiction in our area.

Click here for more resources on addiction care.