ARDMORE, OK - A long-time residential substance abuse treatment facility in Ardmore will be temporary shut down. That decision was handed down at the board of directors meeting Tuesday night. Dara Downs has more.

The Board of Directors did vote to temporarily close Vantage Pointe, which is currently the only residential substance abuse facility operated by Mental Health Services of Southern Oklahoma in the nine counties it serves. While the closure isn't permanent, many supporters say it will still negatively impact those in need of the facility's help.

"What got us to that point was a change to the state regulations that a licensed mental health professional be employed in the facility to assess everyone that comes in the door," says Robert Lee, Executive Director for Mental Health Services of Southern Oklahoma.

Lee says those new state regulations put both the mental health and substance abuse services in jeopardy. He says because the mental health services currently have two vacant licensed professional positions, the board was left with a difficult decision.

"We're between a rock and a hard spot there, and that's one of the things the board decided. They didn't want to have mediocrity on programs on both sides, so they've decided to temporarily close the Vantage Pointe program."

Employees, former patients, and concerned community members spoke out against the board's decision. Brian Lancaster says even temporarily closing the facility will have a negative impact on the community.

"We need this place and as a community. We need to rally together and realize that we need this place," Lancaster says.

The board did approve severance pay for all current employees, and Lee says he is working with the state deputy director of mental health to make sure the closure lasts for the shortest amount of time possible.

"As soon as we can get that person in place, as soon as we can get their training and all the things that the department requires they be able to do, we will reopen that program," Lee says.

But former patient David Decker says without Vantage Pointe open, many looking for help with an alcohol or drug addiction will miss out on the treatment they need.

"If it wasn't for this place, Carter County would have a lot bigger problem than what we do. I just hate to see it go to waste."

Vantage Pointe will officially shut its doors next week, and Lee says how quickly the facility reopens will depend on how fast they can find qualified personnel to fill the vacancies.