Palm Avenue Detox, a 22-bed detoxification program in San Mateo, received the 2026 David Lewis Award from the San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission on Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Commissioner Paul Nichols presented the award during the commission's September meeting, according to a county announcement. The honor goes each year to an individual or program that has contributed to substance use recovery through community education, stigma reduction or client advocacy.

Palm Avenue Detox, operated by Horizon Services, serves men, women, and transgender and non-binary adults dealing with substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioral health conditions. The program is clinically managed and open to residents across San Mateo County.

"The door is always open, no matter how many times they may need to return," Jean Perry, chair of the Behavioral Health Commission, said in the county announcement. "… Dignity and choice honor the personhood of those receiving care."

Perry called the program's level of services "almost legendary" and said the legacy continues under Horizon Services.

The award is named for David Lewis. He was a longtime San Mateo County Health employee who co-founded Free at Last, a substance use treatment and prevention agency in East Palo Alto. Free at Last works to break cycles of addiction and rebuild families in the community.

Horizon Services has provided recovery services across the Bay Area since 1976, operating in Alameda, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. The organization holds a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Past David Lewis Award recipients include Susan Naify of Sitike Counseling Center, who received the 2025 award, and Voices of Recovery San Mateo County, recognized for its peer-run recovery support services.

The Behavioral Health Commission advises the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors on behavioral health needs, services and programs.

Palm Avenue Detox is located at 2251 Palm Ave., San Mateo, and can be reached at (650) 513-6500.