Center Point DAAC taking treatment on the road
Santa Rosa recovery center’s mobile van shifts opioid safety into first gear F or more than five decades, Center Point DAAC has served as a lifeline for individuals struggling with addiction across Sonoma County. Now, with the launch of its new Mobile Narcotic Treatment Program (MNTP) van, the organization is expanding that mission in a transformative way—bringing inability to leave work or family responsibilities to reach Santa Rosa for treatment. By operating Monday through Friday and traveling to locations including the Russian
medication-assisted treatment (MAT), medical care, and harm- reduction tools directly into rural and coastal communities where opioid emergencies are increasingly common and access to treatment remains limited. The MNTP van builds upon years of outreach through DAAC’s Wellness on Wheels (WOW) program, but takes services several steps further by providing a fully licensed platform for on-site buprenorphine treatment, withdrawal support, HIV/HCV testing, and confidential medical assessments. Led by Dr. Marie Mulligan and Alisha Pepper, PMHNP—both addiction-medicine specialists—and supported by a credentialed team of nurses and counselors, the unit is designed to meet people exactly where they are, whether in a remote farming community, an isolated coastal town, or regions heavily impacted by rising fentanyl use. The need is urgent. Sonoma County continues to experience elevated opioid overdose rates, with rural regions such as the Russian River area and transportation-limited communities among the hardest hit. Many residents face long travel distances, infrequent bus service, or the
River region, Cloverdale, and coastal communities, the MNTP van removes the most persistent barrier to care: access. The new van also strengthens coordination
Alisha Pepper, a psychiatric nurse practioner, and Dr. Marie Muylligan, in the MAT mobile unit.
with local health partners, tribal communities, emergency responders, and behavioral-health providers, ensuring seamless referrals and continuity of care. Along with Narcan distribution, fentanyl-test strip access, and educational outreach, the MNTP team offers a compassionate entry point for individuals who may be hesitant to seek treatment or unaware that immediate support exists. “As opioid emergencies continue to touch every corner of the county, our goal is simple but vital,” says Christopher Geiger, Regional Vice President. “We are bringing life-saving treatment directly to people who otherwise might never reach us—meeting them with dignity, respect, and evidence-based care.” With its activation underway, future NorthBay Biz editions will highlight community partnerships, route expansions, and early milestones as this groundbreaking mobile clinic begins delivering hope— and recovery—across Sonoma County. — Christopher Geiger, Regional Vice President (A) CP-DAAC
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