Pubdate: Tue, 25 Jan 2005
Source: Beloit Daily News, The (WI)
Copyright: 2005 The Greater Beloit Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.beloitdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1637
Author: Jen Scherer, Daily News staff writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

PROPOSED METHADONE CLINIC EXPLAINED

Representatives from a health group assured Town of Beloit supervisors
that opening a methadone treatment facility would not cause a crime
wave.CRC Health Group has expressed interest in opening such a
facility to provide medication assisted counseling on an outpatient
basis for people with drug dependence problems. The facility is
planned for the Huebbe Parkway Commercial Center. Several
representatives of the company attended a workshop Monday to answer
any questions supervisors may have.

Director of Business Development Debby Schmidt said it's not uncommon
for community members to be concerned about potential for "unintended
consequences."

"The good news is, after we open, those concerns go away," Schmidt
said.

She told supervisors that CRC Health Group has five clinics already in
Wisconsin, and began looking at opening a sixth in the Beloit area
after learning from local physicians of the lack of a provider in the
area.

Joe Pritchard, who is vice president of operations for all opiate
treatment programs, said the group's clinics are good neighbors, good
corporate citizens and an asset to the community. They have a good
track record for service, strong financial footing and strong
community representation.

Dr. Randy Keiser, who works at another CRC clinic in the state,
explained the medication helps people function day-to-day without the
withdrawal or cravings associated with their addiction, be it heroin
or painkillers.

All treatments are tailored to the individual, and include counseling
sessions as well as medications. The replacement drug of choice is
methadone, but CRC uses other replacement drugs as well.

He said he is proud of the work they do.

"There's something special about being able to sit down and talk with
somebody and talk to them about some very delicate problems they're
having and help them move forward," Keiser said. "They come to us
because they want to stop."

The medication is stored carefully in a safe. Patients new to the
program take the medicine at the clinic in front of a staff member.
Those who've gotten to the point where they can take it home are still
subject to random prescription checks and urine screens, Pritchard
said.

At the same time, building security is extensive.

"It's like Fort Knox, motion detectors, everything," Pritchard
said.

He assured supervisors there will not be a crime wave as a result of
the facility.

"Drug dealers are not going to circle the clinic looking for prey; it
doesn't happen," Pritchard said.

Police Chief John Wilson was concerned about the number of court
ordered patients and Pritchard assured him that while they will work
closely with courts, to be accepted as a patient the people must
genuinely want to change.

The state closely regulates these kind of clinics, and all
psychologists, nurses and doctors are licensed and certified
appropriately. Staff would likely come from the area, Pritchard said.

In response to questions, Pritchard said they anticipate between 100
and 150 patients may be treated at the facility, though not all at the
same time or every day. The closest treatment facility right now is in
Rockford.

Schmidt said it would take 90 to 120 days to open the facility once
the location is approved.

Town supervisors recently reviewed the zoning classification for the
Huebbe Parkway Commercial Center to see whether such a center is a
permitted use and found it was under the existing zoning ordinance.
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MAP posted-by: Derek