On January 22, 2024, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), joined Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina and Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Treviño in unveiling the Roots Recovery Center, a new detoxification facility located at 1300 Chicago Street in Laredo.
Dr. Cuellar played a pivotal role in securing $2,000,000 in Congressionally-directed funding in FY22 to support the operation of the center. The funds cover salaries for 35 staff members, internal office costs, and yearly service contracts for essential supplies and services.
While urban areas typically have access to substance abuse recovery centers, the Roots Recovery Center aims to address the gap in services for Laredo residents who often need to travel over 100 miles for treatment. The facility is equipped with 24 private rooms and is expected to provide behavioral health services to approximately 750 individuals in its first year of operation.
The project is a collaborative effort between the City of Laredo, which will provide administrative services, and Webb County, which repurposed the old Webb County Youth Detention Center to house the new facility.
"In Laredo, where behavioral health treatment resources have historically been lacking, the Roots Recovery Center will assist community members battling alcohol and drug addictions," stated Dr. Cuellar. "With the societal costs of drug abuse exceeding $532 billion annually, the center aims to counter substance abuse by delivering high-quality care to those who need it most."
Dr. Cuellar's commitment to substance abuse prevention is further demonstrated through recent federal funding announcements. He allocated $545,000 for SCAN’s Familias Unidas Project to help teenagers and young adults combat substance use disorders. Additionally, $4,750,000 in federal funding has been designated for three judicial programs in Webb County, focusing on adult drug court, DWI court, and juvenile drug treatment court programs.
