NUMC's Detox Unit in Jeopardy

(NUMC) administrators hope to eliminiate the hospital's detox unit, according to a report published Tuesday by ABC News.

According to three different sources, hospital administrators will ask for state authorization to eliminate all 20 of their inpatient detox beds and 10 of their 30 beds for inpatient rehab.

The purpose is so that the hospital can qualify for a state grant to make the hospital run more efficiently.

"In a time when we have people dying in pharmacies that's probably the stupidest decision they've made all year," Union President Jerry Larrichuita told ABC.

Across Long Island, there are only a few dozen detox beds available for those that can't afford to pay for it, and NUMC has the most (20).

"If ever a time when we need to be able to deal with this opiate abuse that's going on, it's right now," Larrichuita added. "And closing detox centers runs exactly against the entire mission."

Multiple sources told ABC that the beds would be replaced with outpatient care.

"We regularly evaluate our options and no decisions have been made," said Shelley Lotenberg, the head of public relations for NUMC.

This is a breaking news story, and Patch will provide more information as it's made available.