Lafayette Medical Detox Unit Reopens

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Within hours of reopening Monday after an 11-month closure, four patients had been admitted to the detox medical unit at the former University Medical Center.

Daryl Cetnar, Lafayette General community relations director, tells The Advocate a few more admissions are expected.

The voluntary program will provide 24-hour, medically supervised evaluation and treatment of patients 18 years old or older who are taking the first step in their rehabilitation from the dependence on alcohol or other drugs.

Lafayette General took over operations of the public hospital in June and renamed the facility University Hospital & Clinics.

The public hospital faced major budget cuts over the past few years, resulting in the reduction of some services and the closure of others, including the detox unit, which closed in February 2012.