STATE CHAMPS: The Woodbridge girls basketball team made history last week. Page 14
March 13, 2019 | Vol. 18, No. 9 | www.PrinceWilliamTimes.com | 50¢ Covering Prince William County and surrounding communities, including Gainesville, Haymarket, Dumfries, Occoquan, Quantico and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Medicaid, MAT expand help for addicts By Karen Chaffraix Times Staff Writer
Deaths from drug overdoses, many the result of opioid abuse, have been on the rise since 2013 and numbered 71 in Prince William County in 2018. Now, wider access to Medicaid and a new clinic offering “medication-assisted treatment” for substance abuse disorders are giving those battling ad-
diction more options. SaVida Health, based in Nashville, recently opened new outpatient clinics in Woodbridge and Front Royal. Recognizing that addiction is a disease, “not a personal failure,” according to its website, SaVida Health uses MAT, to help patients addicted to opioids and alcohol.
MAT involves the anti-craving medication buprenorphine, known by the brand name “Suboxone,” combined with behavioral therapy and case management. Lisa Madron, Prince William County’s executive director for community services, said the addition of SaVida Health is significant because the clinic takes Medicaid. Virginia lawmak-
ers voted in 2018 to expand access to Medicaid to any adult making up to 138 percent of the poverty level, or about $16,700 a year. Prior to that change, which took effect Jan. 1, only disabled adults or adults with children were eligible for Medicaid, meaning the program was unavailable to many low-income adults battling addiction. See MAT, page 5
New elementary school named for the late John D. Jenkins By Jill Palermo
Times Staff Writer
20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Prince William County’s newest elementary school, set to open this fall, will be named for the late John D. Jenkins, who held the Neabsco District seat on the Prince Supervisor William County John D. Jenkins Board of Supervisors for 36 years. The school board voted unanimously Wednesday, March 6, to name the new school for Jenkins, who passed away Feb. 6. He was 79. School Board member Lillie Jessie, who represents the Occoquan District, where the new school will be built, made the motion to name the school for Jenkins. The school is being constructed on Prince William Parkway near the Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center. “When you think of John Jenkins, the word institution is …fitting. Some called him Mr. Dale City, but most frequently we just called him John,” Jessie said. “He was a quiet, giant man who sought little if anything in return… he was always there. … He loved his community.” School Board Chairman Dr. Babur Lateef said all of Prince William’s elected officials – including members of both the board of supervisors and school board – were united in the decision to name the new
Old Town Manassas was a sea of green on Saturday, March 9, as the annual Greater Manassas St. Patrick’s Day Parade marched through the city. The 20th annual parade featured plenty of Irish flair, including several bagpipe bands and Irish dancing groups. Hundreds lined the streets to watch the procession. The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums, dressed in bright red plaid, were among the music groups performing in the parade. For more photos from the parade, see page 16. PHOTOS BY DOUG STROUD.
See JENKINS, page 3 INSIDE Calendar.............................................18 Classified............................................21 Lifestyle..............................................17 Obituaries...........................................20
Opinion...............................................11 Puzzle Page........................................13 Real Estate..........................................19 Sports.................................................14
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