News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission expected to decide Wednesday afternoon on a Putnam County Methadone Clinic, following more than two-and-a-half hours of testimony.
A full house gathered at the Tennessee Department of Health offices in Nashville’s Metro Center, including an overflow hearing room.
Cedar Recovery Chief Strategy Officer Paul Trivette said only three percent of residents that would be served, oppose the facility. He said this project “overwhelmingly” meets state criteria for approval of this facility.
Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said more than 6,000 residents opposed the facility with signatures. Hundreds more provided letters of support. Porter said he fears the facility is more about profitability than serving real needs in the community.
State Senator Paul Bailey said he has never had an issue reach this level of constituent comment.
Cedar Recovery requested the Certificate of Need from the state for the $2.5 million facility to serve the 12 counties of the Upper Cumberland. The Nonresidential Substitution-Based Treatment Center for Opiate Addiction facility would be located at 1805 Burgess Falls Road, just outside the Cookeville City Limits.
County Attorney Jeff Jones said co-locating the facility with a youth sports center leads to safety concerns. Jones said Cedar Recovery staff told county officials earlier this year that bathroom and parking lot drops occur with methadone clinics and there is no way to prevent this.
“Cedar Recovery gave the community a veto,” Jones said.
During its 20-minute presentation, Cedar Recovery Representative Jerry Taylor said the Upper Cumberland is a virtual desert of opioid treatment program facilities. Those seeking treatment must go to Nashville or Knoxville, Taylor said.
“The average distance is 109 miles and that’s each way,” Taylor said.
Taylor said that would be a benefit to the state, because TennCare pays mileage for those seeking care. Taylor said it could be a “pretty significant cost savings.” In addition, he said it would make it more feasible that individuals seeking care would stay with the program. Taylor said all 12 counties are high need in terms of patients addicted to opioids.
Taylor said the biggest objections center around “not in my backyard” concerns.
Trivette said Cookeville had “inherently discriminating” rules against these types of facilities, leading to exploration of Overton County, Cookeville and Putnam County property.
Cedar Recovery Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen Loyd said the stigma around the facility should not overshadow the benefits of methadone. He said it remains the standard of care. Loyd said it is not ideal.
Cookeville Rescue Mission Director Will Roberts said the road to impacting drug abuse should not include methadone.
“I was on methadone in the 1980s and it’s one of the most difficult drugs to kick,” Roberts said.
Resident Heather Daza said the facility could be a game-changer.
“The best things for our communities is to gain an independence from drugs, not a dependence on drugs,” District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said.
Resident Diane Roland said she does not disagree that there are needs to help those dealing with addiction. Roland said she had not hear anyone say methadone saved their lives.
General Counsel Jim Christoffersen told the Commission that Certificate of Need law setup by state leaders based on three criteria: need, quality, and consumer advantage. All three criteria must be met for a certificate to be issued. Staff reported to the commission that all standards had been met.
“Our community’s safety and welfare is at stake here,” Porter said.
The company, based in Mt. Juliet, operates 13 outpatient treatment centers.
