Meeting with Aegis Treatment Center

Attending the meeting: Twainhart Hill, CANA Steering Team, Michael Pratt, Chair of CANA Nuisance Mitigation Committee, Lt. Rigo DeAlba, Pecy Howard, Clinic Manager, Lyn Raible, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Rebecca Mitchell, Regional Clinic Manag- er, Dawn Vermicelli, Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

The meeting went very well; with all in agreement that creating a safe neighborhood is important for both the CANA group and the Aegis Treatment Center.

CANA neighbors’ examples and reports were shared with the staff about observations of possible patients behaving in a non-social way in the neighborhood.

Aegis Staff explained that each patient signs a Good Neighbor Policy that prohibits them from hanging around after their treatment, but it is difficult to monitor rules viola- tors that stroll off site. It was suggested that the staff take time to talk with each patient in more detail of what this means and not to just have them sign it without some dis- cussion.

Additionally, three or four months ago, the clinic started what is called a concierge pro- gram of employees who monitor their parking lot and nearby businesses to see that the patients are abiding by the Good Neighbor Policy. A contact number for the clinic was given to the Police and Rank Security to use if they need to reach the clinic about one of their patients. The idea is that our neighbors can call Rank or the Police when we suspect patients from the Clinic have drifted over to our parks or alleyways.

A presentation was given to show services covered at the Center.
The Aegis Treatment Center’s goal is to open a second clinic to address the waiting list of approximately 400 and also take pressure off of the current clinic. They do not want to continue with an 850 patient facility. They are at their limit. About 300-350 patients come each day. As the patient moves through the 21 Day Detox and 180 Extended Detox their visits are determined upon medication and required counseling appoint- ments. The third service is maintenance. On average, 80% of the patients in treatment for more than 90 days are illicit opiate free.
The Treatment Centers are also looking into the medication units to also help move away from one central location.

All are willing to continue to work together for the good of the neighborhood.