Santa Clara County has opened a new facility aimed at addressing the growing challenges of substance use disorders at a time when federal health care cuts threaten to strain local resources. The Compassionate Addiction Services and Support (COMPASS) Clinic officially launched on September 2 and is already being recognized as a major step forward in providing immediate, accessible care to those struggling with addiction. The clinic is funded through a combination of federal grants and opioid settlement dollars, with between $2 million and $3 million allocated to ensure its operations.
The COMPASS Clinic is unique because it is the county’s only walk-in substance use recovery center that accepts anyone, regardless of insurance coverage. Clients do not need to be registered with Santa Clara Valley Healthcare to receive treatment. Instead, they can walk in to request services, make appointments, or be referred to other forms of care. Officials expect the facility will serve about 30 patients a week, adding up to nearly 1,200 annually. Services include medication for addiction treatment, counseling and behavioral health support, clinical triage, and long-term recovery guidance, along with referrals to primary care and community health programs.
County Chief Operating Officer Greta Hansen highlighted the importance of accessibility, saying that same day treatment opportunities can make the difference between someone entering recovery or falling deeper into addiction. Having immediate care available eliminates waiting lists, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles that often discourage individuals from seeking help. This approach, she emphasized, is central to saving lives and preventing people from slipping through the cracks of the healthcare system.
District 4 Supervisor Susan Ellenberg echoed this sentiment, noting that the launch of the COMPASS Clinic fits within Santa Clara County’s ambitious goal to double the number of people receiving addiction treatment services by 2030. Ellenberg stressed that achieving this requires innovation, collaboration, and bold resource allocation. She described the clinic as a milestone in the county’s mission to address substance use disorders on a broader scale. Currently, the county operates 226 treatment beds that serve more than 2,100 people annually, but leaders agree much more capacity is needed.
Personal stories of recovery have also shaped the clinic’s mission. Dora Baltazar, now a health representative at COMPASS, shared her journey of overcoming addiction after years of incarceration, homelessness, and personal loss. She told attendees at the clinic’s opening that she understands the stigma and isolation addiction brings, but also the strength and hope recovery provides. Her message was one of encouragement, urging others to seek help and reminding them that even though the path is challenging, it can lead to stability and new opportunities.
Santa Clara County has taken significant steps in recent years to reduce overdose deaths and expand harm reduction programs. After Ellenberg and District 3 Supervisor Otto Lee declared a mental illness and substance use public health crisis in 2022, new initiatives were introduced to expand access to care. The results are beginning to show: overdose deaths dropped from 353 in 2022 to 317 in 2023, and then to 275 in 2024. Officials attribute this decline to broader community partnerships, expanded naloxone distribution, and easier access to fentanyl test strips.
Ellenberg reported that nearly 2,500 people were served by the county’s harm reduction program in 2024, marking a 40% increase from the previous year. Distribution of naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse overdoses, grew by 65%. By making it available in vending machines at jails, schools, and libraries, the county is reaching more at-risk populations and reducing barriers to access.
Beyond COMPASS, additional treatment centers are in development. Pathway Society will soon open a recovery facility in San Jose with 14 beds, while also expanding its residential capacity to 72. A partnership with Our Common Ground will lead to a 32-bed treatment center downtown near SAP Center this fall. Furthermore, a 60-bed substance use disorder residential treatment facility in Gilroy is scheduled to open in December, funded through Proposition 1 resources approved by voters in 2024.
Officials say these combined efforts reflect a shift in how Santa Clara County is approaching addiction. Instead of seeing it solely as a law enforcement issue, leaders are treating it as a public health crisis requiring compassion, treatment, and sustained investment. The COMPASS Clinic embodies this philosophy by being a place where patients can begin recovery the very day they decide to take that step.
By creating accessible treatment options, expanding harm reduction measures, and opening more recovery facilities, Santa Clara County is reshaping its response to the opioid epidemic and other substance use challenges. The COMPASS Clinic’s launch is more than just the opening of a facility—it is a statement of commitment to healing, resilience, and a healthier community future.
