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New treatment facility slated for Monument
Outpatient methadone clinic to open across from Limbach Park By Jennifer Cunningham
Contributing writer
A substance abuse treatment clinic is set to open this summer in downtown Monument at the corner of Second and Front streets, across from Limbach Park. Colonial Management Group, headquartered in Orlando, specializes in treating opiate dependency through the use of methadone. According to their website, www.methadonetreatment.com, they are made up of 64 private outpatient substance abuse treatment clinics that have been successfully treating opiate dependence since 1986. This clinic will be their second in Colorado. A facility in Grand Junction opened in late March. Methadone is a synthetic agent used in the treatment of opioids, including pre-
scription pain medications and heroin. According to the Centers for Disease Control, methadone blocks the euphoric effects and relieves the craving of opiates. It also relieves the symptoms associated with withdrawal and allows the patient to function more normally while recovering from addiction. A source from the compliance department within Colonial Management Group, who requested to remain anonymous, said, “Our method of treatment takes into consideration the whole person. We don’t just prescribe the methadone and send patients on their way. We have counselors, nurses and a prescribing doctor on staff.” “Clients who are treated in CMG facilities are 99.9 voluntarily,” the source said. “Because CMG is privately owned, versus state operated, court-ordered clientele are very rare. It’s a win-win for the community. People want to get better, so they come to us for treatment.” Some clients progress to “take homes,” the source stated, where a specific
amount of medication is given to the patient to take at home. This is a benefit they earn after meeting an 8-point criteria. “Dosage amounts are closely monitored to ensure clients are not experiencing any withdrawal symptoms and treatment plans are revised every ninety days. The goal of the CMG program is to get the patient to a point of not needing any medication.” “It’s a closely monitored program. Clients are periodically called in to the clinic and must report within 24 hours. They need to bring any remaining methadone with them to ensure they have taken the proper dosages and have the proper dosages remaining. We want to make sure they are taking their medication as prescribed and not potentially selling it.” The compliance department said education of the communities where the company has or will establish clinics, is a significant component to their corporate plan. To date, the company has not contacted anyone in the town to set up
an event. Kristen Hanson, operations director, who oversees all new clinics, said, “The opening date for the clinic will depend on the build-out and time to file licenses. I hope to have a soft opening in early July to have a conversation with the community before we start admitting patients.” B.L. Woods Construction, headquartered out of Sanford, Fla., is retrofitting the building. Project manager, Richard Cooney, has temporarily relocated to Monument to oversee the construction. Cooney did not provide information about the completion date. Monument Town Clerk Cyndi Sirochman said no business license has been applied for in the town. Colonial Management Group establishes corporations in each state to oversee clinics. The 4,800 square-foot building with 30 parking spaces has been leased for a five-year term from Mikulas Investments, LLC, a company based in Monument.
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PL E ASE RECYCLE T HI S C OPY
Because the pace of operations is unlikely to slow, James urged the graduating cadets “to lead us into the future because you are the next generation of leaders that Secretary of Defense Ash Carter calls the force of the future.” Photo by Rob Carrigan
Graduates told to take on challenges with ‘moral courage’ By Amber Baillie
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs A total of 840 cadets graduated from the Air Force Academy March 28, following a commencement address by the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. Among the newest batch of second lieutenants, 360 will directly attend pilot training, 89 will work in space and cyber space fields, 89 will attend graduate school and 44 will join nuclear missile operations. Twenty percent of the class of 2015 are women and 26 percent are minorities, James said. “This is one of the most diverse classes we’ve had at the Academy,” James said. “Going forward we must do even better. We are committed to diversity in our Air Force, expanding opportunities for women and same-sex couples, having leaders who are ethical and take care of our people, and where sexual assault
has no safe haven.” James referenced the class of 2015’s president, 2nd Lt. Andrew Dane, a prior-enlisted airman who took part in 450 close air support missions to eliminate the Taliban during his 2010 deployment and received a Purple Heart. “He continued to fight and never gave up despite his wounds,” James said. “That’s exactly the caliber of airmen you will lead into the future across our Air Force in peace time and in combat. Please take a few moments and think about the graduates before you, the oath you will take, what it means to serve in the Air Force and most importantly, to always take of your people.” The secretary referenced Zebulon Pike, a historical American soldier and explorer who attempted to reach the top of Pikes Peak but never made it. “Graduates, as we sit in the shadow of Pikes Peak during this glorious spring day, think back to the winter when the peak looked dif-
ferent and long ago when Zebulon Pike was sizing up the mountain, getting ready for his daunting mission to the summit. I’m guessing you had similar thoughts when you headed off to basic cadet training. Now, after completing 101 semester hours of core curriculum, you have arrived at that summit.” The secretary asked graduates to think about their class exemplar, the Wright brothers, who pursued their dream of flight. “I bet there are some of you who battled through failures such as being on academic probation or having the moral courage to accept responsibility of an honor code violation,” James said. “You stayed and kept your heads held high and forged ahead. Today we get celebrate your perseverance and tomorrow you will lead us into the future.” This year’s graduates, a part of the Academy’s 57th class, have new challenges to face, Graduation continues on Page 3