Dr. Stephen Loyd, MD, the chief medical officer of Cedar Recovery, held a town hall meeting in Rickman to address concerns of the citizens about the proposed clinic.
Loyd along with the chief strategy officer, Paul Trivette and the chief executive officer, Joe Bond spent the first part of the meeting explaining the mission of the proposed clinic and how they became advocates for recovery.
Loyd, who is in recovery himself, said when he started in recovery medicine, he saw the clinics as terrible places and wanted to change the narrative and instead make the clinics look and feel like any other doctor’s office. Loyd went on to say the stigma surrounding addition and recovery is one of the biggest obstacles in opening new clinics in proposed areas.
Loyd stated his goal with the medicine-based treatment is to keep people alive long enough to help them change behaviors which will better assist them in their journey to recovery. Loyd stated he wants to work with the faith-based programs such a Teen Challenge to aid people in their journey of recovery.
Loyd re-assured the crowd, despite what has been said on social media, no county, state or local official has shown support for the clinic.
Loyd then turned the meeting over to the audience to hear questions, comments and concerns, and they delivered.
Multiple people shared their experience using Methadone and Suboxone and were adamantly against bringing a clinic such as that to their community. People shared their experiences with other Methadone clinics including them being in “bad areas” of towns, looking run down and having a staff that seemingly doesn’t care.
Loyd expressed concern and condolences for the people who went through the poor experiences of both going to those clinics and working at such clinics. Loyd explained his clinics are different they will go by the tenets of love unconditionally, forgive habitually and demonstrate mercy. He explained him and his staff does not use “tough love” or a “three strike” policy with any other their patients.
Multiple people asked “why Rickman”
Loyd explained this area is considered a treatment desert and with the amount of people with addition disorders in this and the surrounding areas make Rickman a good central location. Trivette stated they also looked for areas with a stand-alone building to provide the high level of care they are aiming for.
One person asked what the credentials for the staff are. Loyd stated not only would the staff have to adhere to state and federal recommended credentials, but they would also have to adhere to the tenets of Cedar Recovery which are love unconditionally, forgive habitually and demonstrate mercy. Loyd also explained on top of nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses they would employee certified peer specialists, who will be there to check in with patients and help them on their journey to recovery.
The people of Rickman had a lot to say about why the clinic and Loyd, himself, are not welcome in the community. People were concerned with the proximity to Rickman Elementary, the easy of access to Highway 111, the treat of the clinic being robbed, and the property values in the area. The Cedar Recovery team stated all these concerns outline the stigma surrounding addiction and overcoming or at least acknowledging the stigma would be the first step in addressing the problem.
Both Steven Barlow and Ed Butler were in attendance, and both stated they are against the proposed clinic, but thought it was important for Loyd and his staff to come out and talk with the people of Rickman to address the concerns and answer any questions. Barlow addressed the crowd noting the passion that was shown by the people of Rickman, “If you fought as hard to keep drugs out of Overton County as you fought tonight, we would not have drugs in Overton County.” Steven Barlow. Why
