Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Set April 9th For Substance Use Continuum Care Clinic   Covington, VA (March 31, 2026) - The Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board (AHCS) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 9 for its new Substance Use Continuum of Care Clinic. This 9,600-square-foot facility is a collaborative effort led by Alleghany County in partnership with the City of Covington, the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA), and AHCS. This renovation reflects AHCS’s long-term commitment to supporting mental health and substance use recovery in the community. In response to the growing demand for substance use services, the renovation will significantly expand clinic space and create a welcoming environment for individuals seeking support and connection. The renovation will include a peer drop-in center equipped with laundry facilities, showers, meeting rooms, and office space. The downstairs area will feature group and individual therapy rooms, a lab, primary care screening and treatment spaces, psychiatry offices, and a community meeting/training room accessible after hours. Additional areas will house case management services, clinicians, recovery court, jail services, and flexible office space. A new hallway behind the peer center will connect these three areas, improving transitions from same-day access to substance use services. Funding for the project combined local opioid settlement allocations from Alleghany County and Covington, AHCS contributions, and a $3.6 million grant from the OAA. AHCS Executive Director Ingrid Barber highlighted the importance of the partnership in addressing substance use challenges in the community. The OAA, established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021, continues to play a key role in directing opioid settlement funds across Virginia. Through strategic investments, prevention initiatives, and data-driven oversight, the Authority aims to strengthen coordinated responses to the opioid crisis statewide.

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