Recovery Centers of America is coming to Atlantic County.
HAMILTON TWP. -- The Pennsylvania-based drug rehabilitation company that recently ran into considerable opposition in Camden and Burlington counties announced Tuesday that it has sealed the deal on a Mays Landing facility.
The future location of Recovery Centers of America at Lighthouse, in Atlantic County. (Photo provided: recoverycentersofamerica.com) Recovery Centers of America (RCA), which is headquartered in King of Prussia, will offer inpatient and outpatient treatment at the 53-bed Lighthouse Recovery Center.
"Lighthouse represents our first key strategic acquisition in a growth plan that will open eight behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment centers in the next two years," RCA Founder and Chief Executive Officer Brian O'Neill said in a statement.
According to previous reports, the previous owner-operator of Lighthouse recently died. The facility -- which continues to undergo renovations and technology updates -- will now be know as Recovery Centers of America at Lighthouse.
According to figures provided by RCA, more than 1,300 families in New Jersey lost a loved one to heroin, cocaine or prescription drug-related deaths in 2014. More than 5,000 people have died in New Jersey since 2004 as a result of heroin or prescription opioid-related overdose.
"Lighthouse will help achieve our goals of treating one million Americans and to tirelessly advocate for the estimated 22 million Americans suffering from substance use disorder," O'Neill's added.
RCA withdrew its proposal for a 328-bed Mount Laurel facility earlier this month. Before that, the group ran into roadblocks in Haddonfield and Gloucester Township. Residents and local leaders there opposed the possible locations eyed by RCA.
RCA sued Gloucester Township after its zoning board denied an application to open a facility along Peter Cheeseman Road. According to the company's website, RCA also has its eyes on locations in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts as part of its plans to build sites along the East Coast.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.