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+--- Thread: Methadone clinics rise in #, raising flags; 2 in Waukegan (/showthread.php?tid=522)
Methadone clinics rise in #, raising flags; 2 in Waukegan - fedupinwaukegan - 08-16-2009
I did not know Waukegan had two methadone clinics... I've never noticed these clinics?
<!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-methadone-clinics-16-aug16,0,2384840.story">www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-m ... 4840.story</a><!-- w -->
chicagotribune.com
Methadone clinics rise in number, raising flags
By Lisa Black
Tribune reporter
August 16, 2009
One methadone clinic, Jem Treatment Inc., quietly accepts patients in a nondescript brick building shared by law firms and other agencies -- a typical low-profile approach to avoid neighbor confrontations and maintain client confidentiality.
Another, Green Dragonfly, under investigation after the December death of a 30-year-old patient, boldly advertises services outside with an electronic sign that scrolls: "Same Day Dosing." Inside, handsome couches and colorful decor feel more like a hotel lobby than a doctor's waiting room.
Despite their markedly different approaches, the two private methadone treatment clinics, which opened within walking distance of each other last year in Waukegan, are a testament to growth in the heroin addiction market.
The clinics dispense doses of the prescription narcotic methadone, with the goal of weaning substance abusers off opiates such as heroin and painkillers. The process can take years and is attracting newcomers to the treatment field.
In recent years, more private, for-profit methadone treatment clinics have opened in response to demand, especially because public funding for new programs has slowed to a near halt.
The trend concerns law-enforcement agents who track drugs sold illegally, although they say all methadone treatment clinics, public or private, are subject to the same record-keeping and inspection requirements.
"It concerns us more when the motive for treatment is profit," said Mark Caverly, with the Drug Enforcement Administration's Office of Diversion Control in Arlington, Va. He said he is not sure whether private clinics have experienced more problems than those that are public-run.
Nationwide, the number of clinics has risen to 1,200 from 750 in 1994, with almost all of the newcomers privately owned, said Mark Parrino, president of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence.
A pizza store owner once called him for information, thinking he had discovered an easy new way to make money, he said. Parrino said he discouraged him, sending him back to food service.
"If the motivation is, 'Let me get my money and get out,' that's a problem," Parrino said, "but if the person opening the clinic says, 'I want to be here for the long run; I want to help,' then that person will meet all quality standards and have good relationships with the community and patients."
In Illinois, all eight of the new methadone clinics opened the past five years are privately operated, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services. The state licenses 57 clinics -- 25 of which are private, officials said.
A debate over whether the for-profit clinics need closer monitoring continues as the number of methadone-related deaths increases. Misuse of the drug led to 4,462 fatalities in 2005, up from 786 in 1999, according to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
West Virginia authorities imposed a moratorium on new centers after they said they traced methadone deaths to treatment clinics. But most believe the drug has become more accessible because of its increasing use as a painkiller, said Caverly of the federal enforcement agency.
Doctors must warn their patients that methadone can cause death when combined with alcohol or certain other drugs, experts said.
In Waukegan, the Lake County state's attorney's office is investigating whether Green Dragonfly staff followed proper procedures in dispensing methadone to Steve Vaughn, 30, of Lindenhurst, who died at home Dec. 3 after his second day of treatment.
Complicating the case is that Lake County Coroner Richard Keller, who ruled on Vaughn's cause of death, is the doctor who prescribed methadone to Vaughn as the clinic's medical director. Keller ruled that Vaughn died after mixing Xanax with methadone, a dangerous combination that Keller has said he advised Vaughn against.
Jill Vaughn said her son lied to Keller and told him he was addicted to heroin, not Xanax. Investigators are trying to determine whether Keller screened Vaughn for drugs through a urine test, which is customary.
Keller said he was not sure whether Vaughn took a urine test and has not checked his records.
Kenneth Davis, CEO of Professional Diagnostic Services S.C., a treatment clinic in Glenview, said it is important to drug-screen first-time patients to determine methadone dosage. "You do not base it on what the person says, because their goal is to say whatever will get them into treatment and get them as comfortable as possible," Davis said. "We as providers have to keep their safety in mind as well as to understand that we don't want patients being their own doctors."
Keller acknowledged that he and the two women who own the clinic have no background in addiction treatment, which is recommended but not required by law. Methadone clinics must be registered and evaluated by the DEA, the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the state human services agency's Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, officials said.
The state inspected Green Dragonfly in July, citing staff for violations that are being remedied, Keller said. One violation included the failure to report Vaughn's death as required, officials said.
On Friday, the state declined the Tribune's request for a copy of the report, citing exemptions in Illinois' open records law, including one in which a request can be denied if it "would interfere with pending or actually and reasonably contemplated law enforcement proceedings." <!-- e --><a href="mailto:lblack@tribune.com">lblack@tribune.com</a><!-- e -->
Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune
Re: Methadone clinics rise in #, raising flags; 2 in Waukegan - JazminH - 08-16-2009
"Keller acknowledged that he and the two women who own the clinic have no background in addiction treatment, which is recommended but not required by law. Methadone clinics must be registered and evaluated by the DEA, the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the state human services agency's Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, officials said."
But hey - his clinic looks nice, with those handsome couches and bright neon sign.
Re: Methadone clinics rise in #, raising flags; 2 in Waukegan - WaukTalk75 - 08-17-2009
Director of embattled methadone clinic resigns
August 17, 2009 12:49 PM | No Comments
Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller today resigned his job as medical director at a Waukegan methadone clinic, Green Dragonfly, which has been under scrutiny following the methadone-related death of a 30-year-old patient.
Keller announced today his last day as physician and medical director will be Sept. 7 at Green Dragonfly, which opened in October 2008 to treat patients for heroin addiction.
The Lake County State's Attorney's office early this year began investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Steve Vaughn, 30, of Lindenhurst, who died after mixing methadone with Xanax, a dangerous combination.
Keller had prescribed the methadone to the victim as the clinic's medical director, then investigated the cause of his Dec. 3 death in his role as county coroner.
Earlier this year, the state's attorney's office became aware of the death and began investigating, asking state and federal officials to help determine if the clinic followed proper procedures in dispensing the prescription narcotic, State's Atty. Michael Waller said.
Keller issued a statement Monday announcing his resignation.
"I wish the clinic continued success in its service to the community," he stated. "It has had a positive impact on over 100 individuals battling with addiction. Also, through them it has improved the health of the county and decreased the crime that would have accompanied the addictions in many of these people."
"I will miss the patients. I have learned much from them and they have truly touched my life. I wish them well in their futures."
Keller remains coroner in Lake County, an elected position with a $100,000 annual salary. His term ends in 2012.
Re: Methadone clinics rise in #, raising flags; 2 in Waukegan - Danno - 08-17-2009
The scrolling sign that is at the Green Dragonfly advertises "Same Day Dosing" and 'Opiate Replacement Treatment" as casually as a store in Libertyville would advertise "Custom Draperies" and "Over 50 Fabrics to Choose From". You can't buy drapery fabric in Waukegan but you can get "Same Day Dosing" of Methodone.
Re: Methadone clinics rise in #, raising flags; 2 in Waukegan - Danno - 08-18-2009
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Re: Methadone clinics rise in #, raising flags; 2 in Waukegan - WkgnBorn&Raised - 08-18-2009
Is anyone else concerned about how close these clinics are to the high schools and two middle schools?
Re: Methadone clinics rise in #, raising flags; 2 in Waukegan - sqeeqy - 08-18-2009
WkgnBorn&Raised' Wrote:Is anyone else concerned about how close these clinics are to the high schools and two middle schools?
Yes, I am.
I'd hate to see one of the high school kids selling drugs to one of the recovering addicts.
Re: Methadone clinics rise in #, raising flags; 2 in Waukegan - fedupinwaukegan - 08-26-2009
Waukegan methadone clinic to close
Investigation continuing into patient's death; owners closing facility to avoid license revocation, official says
By Lisa Black Tribune reporter
August 26, 2009
A Waukegan methadone treatment clinic under scrutiny for the drug-related death of a patient and controversy surrounding its medical director will close in September, its owners said Tuesday.
State and federal officials recently inspected the Green Dragonfly clinic after the Lake County state's attorney launched an investigation into the death of Steven Vaughn, 30, of Lindenhurst.
Clinic owners announced their decision to close the facility shortly after meeting with Drug Enforcement Administration officials Monday, State's Atty. Michael Waller said.
"The Green Dragonfly did very poorly on the inspections, and they are closing to avoid having their license revoked," said Waller, whose office will continue its investigation.
Tom Green, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Human Services, said, "There were a number of violations that were found in the inspections" by state and federal agencies who reviewed Green Dragonfly.
"DHS will assist in transferring clients to other programs and make sure the transfer is done in an orderly manner," he said.
Lake County Coroner Richard Keller a week ago announced his resignation as the clinic's medical director after the Tribune reported the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Vaughn's death.
Keller, a licensed physician, prescribed methadone to Vaughn, who died Dec. 3 after his second treatment at the clinic. Complicating the case is that Keller as county coroner then investigated the victim's death, concluding that Vaughn had mixed the methadone with Xanax, a deadly combination.
Waller questioned whether Keller followed proper procedures in administering the methadone, such as whether he tested the patient's urine for drugs, as is customary. Keller said he had not checked the records and was not sure.
The Illinois Department of Human Services also cited the clinic for not reporting Vaughn's death as required.
Keller said Tuesday that he was surprised to learn of the clinic's closing and declined comment. When asked, he said he has no intention of quitting his elected position as coroner, a 4-year term that ends in 2012.
"All along, Green Dragonfly has relied on the medical advice of Dr. Keller, who is also the Lake County coroner," the clinic said in a prepared statement. "As we continue to investigate the tragedy of the death of Mr. Vaughn, we will hold accountable the failure of anyone to follow the law and proper procedures."
Green Dragonfly owners Mary Olloway and Sandra Hay could not be reached Tuesday. Hay and her husband also own On the Border, a Franklin, Wis., strip club -- a connection also being investigated.
Vaughn's mother, Jill, believes her son lied to Keller and told him that he was addicted to heroin in order to quickly be treated with methadone. He was addicted to Xanax, she said. He did not have a prescription for it, but was using someone else's medication.
Vaughn said she felt bad for other patients who need to find a new treatment center.