WOONSOCKET, R.I. — The sun barely rises when John Hayes gets behind the wheel of a 27-foot-long RV and starts to rev up the engine.

Hayes sits on the edge of a mostly empty parking lot in Providence, Rhode Island, right outside of a methadone treatment clinic where, even at 5 a.m., patients start lining up.

But Hayes is not there to help people inside the brick-and-mortar clinic. Instead, he's taking the converted RV about 30 minutes north— to Woonsocket, Rhode Island. It's a community with some of the highest opioid use rates in the state.

"They’re just nice people that hit a bump," Hayes said.

It does not take long for patients to arrive.

One of the first people to arrive is Raul Rodriquez. Addicted to drugs for more than 20 years, Rodriquez use to have to travel 30 minutes to Providence to receive the methadone treatment he needs to get better.

But now, this first-in-the-nation mobile methadone clinic is bringing the medicine to him.

"It's wonderful. I live around the corner, you don't have to drive. It's right here," he said.

Methadone is a medication used to help people reduce or quit their use of heroin or other drugs. By increasing ease and access, the mobile medical unit hopes to keep patients on the right path.

"Substance use disorder is just a disease of the brain," said Linda Hurley, president of CODAC Behavioral Health, which owns and operates the mobile unit.

Last month, CODAC received approval from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to dispense methadone at mobile treatment sites. Aside from the convenience, it's a more cost-effective way for treatment centers to operate. Instead of $4 million for a new building, CODAC can spend closer to $400,000 to renovate an RV.

"This is a highly effective, efficient and kind way to provide care to individuals that are dying," Hurley said.

This type of innovative methadone treatment couldn't come at a more critical American juncture. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 107,000 people died of drug overdoses in the U.S. in 2021. An estimated 75 percent of those deaths involved an opioid but only 18 percent of people with an opioid use disorder received medication as treatment.

"With a mobile unit, we go to individuals and see them when they can be seen, and that’s really important," Hurley noted.

There's another layer to all of this. It's keeping patients from having to go to a traditional doctor's office setting, which comes with its own set of stigmas.

As a physician specializing in addiction medicine, the mobile medical unit is a new frontier for Dr. Cara Zimmerman.

"This is definitely meeting someone where they're at," Dr. Zimmerman said.

Not only can she offer patients methadone treatment, but she can also help with wound care or write a prescription.

"This is more we're here; we're coming to you on your schedule and whatever, as much or as little as you need," she added.

Communities across the country are visiting the mobile clinic to see what's working as more treatment centers apply for DEA approval to get other mobile methadone clinics rolling nationwide.

"Most of them are just regular people who are coming in early to go to work. They're coming in before their day starts, so they can get their methadone and live a life," Hayes said.

A Rhode Island man was served a painful reminder of how dangerous tropical storm conditions can be.

John Gonsalves, of Providence, was taking photos of the ocean in Narragansett as Tropical Storm Henri approached southern New England late Sunday morning when things took a bad turn.

Gonsalves was taking cover near a light pole when what appeared to be an electrical box was blown by a strong gust of wind and struck him in the head. The blow to the head sent him falling backward and he landed on the pavement.

"I tried to take cover behind there just to get some photos and a gust must have just taken me out," Gonsalves said. "I took a header, but I think I'm alright."

Gonsalves had some scratches around his left knee but was otherwise OK.

"Yeah, I took a tumble, but I made it," he said. "I think it's time to pack it up for me. ... I think 10 minutes is enough for me. I'm going to tap out."

Earlier in the day, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee urged Ocean State residents to stay home until Tropical Storm Henri passed.

McKee also issued a ban on motorcycles and tractor-trailers from state roadways, except those carrying emergency supplies, starting at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Watch the video above for the full story.

VIDEO: Dog enjoys snow with skis, in need of forever home

Updated: 12:06 AM EST Feb 25, 2021

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with the white stuff still on the ground. US humans aren't the only ones enjoying winter sports. We put courage on the skis, and she seemed to really enjoy that. This nine month old mutt from Mississippi is named courage. This a disability has not stopped her one bit, and her name is fitting. Having survived a traumatic experience when she was only a few months old, a not a very nice man kicked her off a porch, severed her spine on DSHEA. She was taken into rescue. Becky Panacea had courage. Transported to Cranston from the south. She's been a joy. She's fun. She's challenging. She's very, very sweet. She's been fostering courage for about four months, and despite her back legs, being paralyzed and having to wear a diaper, she's still a playful pop. There's no problem with her getting around. Absolutely not. In fact, there seems to really be nothing else wrong at all. Besides her being incontinent, she's healthy, very healthy dog. The community recently rallied, raising about $2500 so Courage could have an M. R. I and extensive testing done. It was it was wonderful, and I thank them very much when she's not hitting the slopes in her front yard. She uses a wheelchair to get around. She's a little celebrity around here in in Rhode Island, but she would really love to head to her forever home. Venecia says there are some requirements, but she's hopeful someone will have the courage to make the dogs dream come true. She deserves this, and she deserves a great life.

VIDEO: Dog enjoys snow with skis, in need of forever home

Updated: 12:06 AM EST Feb 25, 2021

A dog with a disability is enjoying a special setup.The pet, named Courage, uses a wheelchair but also can enjoy the snow with a pair of skis to support her."This disability has not stopped her one bit," said Becky Paniccia, who has been fostering the dog, WJAR-TV reports."Have you ever seen a dog have this much fun? This girl continues to inspire us with her spunk, bravery, spirit of love and forgiveness, and sense of adventure," Friends of Homeless Animals, Inc. in Rhode Island noted in a Friday post on Facebook. "She deserves a great home!"Tap the video above to find out more about her story.

A dog with a disability is enjoying a special setup.

The pet, named Courage, uses a wheelchair but also can enjoy the snow with a pair of skis to support her.

"This disability has not stopped her one bit," said Becky Paniccia, who has been fostering the dog, WJAR-TV reports.

"Have you ever seen a dog have this much fun? This girl continues to inspire us with her spunk, bravery, spirit of love and forgiveness, and sense of adventure," Friends of Homeless Animals, Inc. in Rhode Island noted in a Friday post on Facebook. "She deserves a great home!"

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Tap the video above to find out more about her story.