Howard Center, Inc. filed a complaint in the State of Vermont Superior Court Chittenden Unit on September 24, 2019 against opioid drug distributors, retailers, and manufacturers. The complaint alleges that the defendants negligently distributed and dispensed prescription opioid drugs in the State of Vermont which resulted in the opioid epidemic and Howard Center being flooded with patients who required its services. It is also alleged that these services often times go unpaid and have consequently resulted in a massive accumulation of unreimbursed costs.
Howard Center is a Vermont not-for-profit corporation with its principal place of business in Burlington, Vermont. Howard Center provides comprehensive substance use and addiction treatment, detoxification services, prisoner reentry programs, services for those with developmental disabilities, and mental health programs for children and adults. In 2019, Howard Center was the recipient of the Excellence in Addictions Treatment Award from the National Council for Behavioral Health. It is a regional and national leader in mental health and substance use treatment, known for the creation of the hub and spoke model for opioid treatment. Howard Center is committed to improving access to quality care that is inclusive and available for all community members.