By Lani Duke
New addiction treatment center?
Dartmouth College medical student Jeff DeFlavio recently announced his plans to open a opiate addiction treatment alternative on Baxter Street in Rutland. He had opened a similar clinic in Claremont, N.H., in March, and has since opened another Recover Together clinic in Lebanon, N.H. His business plan also calls for two additional sites — one in Keene, N.H., and another in downtown Barre, Vt.
Although this undertaking seems fairly venturesome for a man who has not yet completed medical school, DeFlavio has said that he set up a plan to bring affordable, accessible treatment to those in need as a result of seeing addicted patients as a student. His approach relies on group therapy rather than individual treatment and utilizing the medication Suboxone. His model requires a $50 payment per week rather than the $250 common to available individualized programs in New England.
Patients take weekly drug tests, receiving weekly Suboxone prescriptions for the first six months. After that, they graduate to monthly testing, receiving 30-day supplies of the medication.
Rutland’s mayor and aldermen have expressed concern that DeFlavio announced his plans for Rutland without research into what programs are already in place. Mayor Chris Louras wrote to DeFlavio, asking him to call Cdr. Scott Tucker, executive director for Project VISION, as well as Louras himself, “so that we can help you determine if your goals align with those of our community.”
Stafford Tech. students pick pounds of produce
Stafford’s Culinary Arts students recently visited Wellsmere Farm in Wells, working with the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link’s Glean Team. Together they collected 1,018 pounds of tomatoes and 64 pounds of cabbage in 45 minutes, which were delivered to a variety of local non-profits.
Rose Kennedy collects endorsements
The Vermont Troopers Association recently swung its support behind county prosecutor candidate Rose Kennedy, following Mayor Louras’s endorsement. VTA president Mike O’Neill says his organization supports her in the upcoming election with the belief she would better prosecute cases and communicate with multiple organizations.
Although VTA endorsements in races for prosecutor are rare, the organization has endorsed four candidates around the state this year.
United way fundraising campaign planned
United Way of Rutland County plans a goal of $570,000 in its annual fundraising campaign. Local companies and nonprofits have already pledged $190,000, about a third of the goal.
The largest pledge so far is $52,500, from employees and the charitable foundation of GE Aviation in Rutland Town. Second largest is Green Mountain Power, with employee pledges and corporate match adding up to $50,000. Other major contributors include Omya, Hannaford, Rutland Area Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, Community Care Network, the Alderman family businesses, Carris Reels, Rutland Herald, Rutland City Schools, and Castleton State College.
Lani’s weekly picks
Friday, Oct. 10 — Rutland United Methodist Church presents its 5th Annual Chocolate Fest & Silent Auction at Holiday Inn, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 11 — Dancing with the Rutland Stars 2014 pairs professional dancers with local celebrities, benefits Kids on the Move, pediatric rehab program. Paramount Theatre. 7 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 11-12 — Chaffee Art Center presents the 53rd Annual Art in the Park Fall Festival. Main Street Park, junction of Rt. 4 & 7, Rutland.
Sunday, Oct. 12 – Wynton Marsalis brings his 15-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra to the Paramount Theatre. 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 15 — Local Vermont artist Fran Bull discusses art at the Paramount Theatre, 7 p.m., followed by a reception at Chaffee Downtown Gallery, 8:30 p.m.