Like many of the city’s residents, Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen was caught by surprise when she read that the county’s “Genesis” drug treatment center was closing down. The center is located in Modesto.
“All I know is what I read in the paper and the math doesn’t work out,” said Zwahlen. “As a mayor and a nurse I’m always concerned when people who need and want help can’t get it. Of course I’m concerned.”
Zwhalen’s career as an emergency room nurse made her especially sensitive to the needs of patients suffering from addiction, and she experienced many occasions when the expense and difficulty of access prevented people from getting the care they needed. Reports of the closure of the county’s treatment center disturbed her greatly.
It now appears there may have been some miscommunication about the closure. According to Stanislaus County Supervisor Mani Grewal, clients of the Genesis treatment center will be transferred to Aegis, an agency that specializes in drug treatment and rehabilitation and there will be no shortfalls in capacity.
The transfer is part of a countywide program to increase capacity and provide clients more appropriate and specialized services.
“We’ve actually added capacity,” said Grewal on Tuesday. “No client of Genesis will be denied service by Aegis due to lack of capacity, and we’ve actually made access for many easier by opening a facility for treatment in Turlock.”
Grewal added that clients who transfer from Genesis to Aegis will be monitored and assessed for results, including a three-month progress report for each one.
“We are mandated by the state to care for people who need help and can’t get it elsewhere,” said Grewal. “If we fail to provide care we could lose funding and even face penalties.”
Like others, Zwhalen interpreted reports of the closure of Genesis to mean there would be a shortfall of capacity. Grewal insisted that Aegis could easily serve the 224 clients of Genesis, and should there be any lack of capacity to do so, the county would step in to cover the deficit.
“We have the ability to add capacity within 24 hours,” he said. “Any Genesis client who can’t access services from Aegis should contact county staff at Behavioral Health Services immediately. They can also contact their county supervisor if they need to.”
Grewal said that access to Aegis is only “1.4 miles away” from the Genesis location and should not represent a hardship for current clients of Genesis.
Grewal’s comments contradict those of people cited in reports by the Modesto Bee, including those of a former medical director for Aegis clinics.
“’A clinic usually has to ramp up counseling staff before it absorbs a large number of new patients,” said Lyn Raible, a former medical director for Aegis clinics in California and an outspoken critic of the county’s decision to close Genesis. “It’s not a simple matter of shifting people over to another program.’”
Raible added that, “Aegis’ local capacity is hazy.”
Given conflicting reports, Mayor Zwahlen has good reason to be concerned. As is frequently the case, the final measure of success or failure for the county’s decision will be dictated by people on ground and the evidence they provide. Time will tell.
If you want one pls put away from city , far away. Maybe old honor farm. Why not out at Valley farm, why not as into to Claus Rd, why not move em to Jaboom st Sacramento, why not Broderick or Blyth. Anywhere but McHenry Ave
Cuz the need Is here. In our city and close to mc.henry. slot ALOT of the patients are also homeless and can’t make the trip elsewhere if it was to be moved. Be caring not covert about your feelings and maybe just maybe the sun will shine on you and yours.
Accountability
I don’t believe Mani Greeal .
Why didn’t the county tell the Genesis clients they would be transferred to Aegis??
When I read that the Aegis clinic is “only 1.4 miles away,” it reminded me of when Save Mart said they were closing their store at Lincoln Shopping Center. The complaints were widespread and the disruption for many was real. And these were largely people of means with reliable transportation and flexible shopping needs. Sure, they figured it out, but they weren’t in crisis, reliant on routine, racing to work, battling demons and coordinating with counselors. SaveMart’s decision was based on economics. The motivation for the County BOS is, well, it’s inconvenient.
I live in turlock ca I been traveling years back and forth to methadone clinics in modesto now I’m currently a patient at ceres Aegis treatment centers, I noticed 9 months ago a place on lander was bought by Aegis Llc I’ve been hearing lots of rumors of it opening soon ? Can you please tell me an update when to expect the Aegis treatment centers in turlock to actually open for business it’s been a hardship getting to and from the other locations it would be nice and convenient to be going to Aegis here in my hometown of turlock ca
Hi Kevin: Best to ask your county supervisor when service will be available for you. We do not know. We admire you for your persistence and good work getting off drugs.
There are people who don’t want to go to aegis you can’t just bounce then around with no choice. We have a massive opioid epidemic. They did not ask and addiction experts before they did this. They did it on a closed sorry meeting. Aegis is a for profit methadone clinic who only cares about money. Clients are a number at Aegis they are not treated well at all. You are a coward Mani
Also….
The sad reality is these 5 “supervisors” voted to close Genesis a very well ran non-profit methadone clinic that’s been around for 40 years in a CLOSED door meeting NOT open to the public (why?) and without any opinions or advise from … More
Carol Kristian
Local Guide·53 reviews·36 photos
3 years ago
I have emailed my county sypervisor regarding affordable housing (district 4) with no answer.
1
Andrew C.
4 reviews
a month ago
The sad reality is these 5 “supervisors” voted to close Genesis a very well ran non-profit methadone clinic that’s been around for 40 years in a CLOSED door meeting NOT open to the public (why?) and without any opinions or advise from addiction experts during a MASSIVE opioid epidemic that has killed thousands of poor addicts is beyond mind boggling. EVERYONE is smoking or injecting fentanyl. What horrible judgement. Many addiction experts who have knowledge of the closure of this clinic has said this was a HUGE mistake and just plain stupid. They could have easily moved Genesis into another empty county building. Plus, the smug and arragant answers from Terry Withrow and Vito Chiesa in the Modesto Bee is amazing. These 5 guys are cowards and definitely should not have this much power. I will never vote for the coward Mani Grewal again either. Yeah, I vote. We need more addiction centers not less. How dumb, stupid, and irresponsible… definitely political. They are pathetic with no feelings whatsoever for people with addiction disease. I pray that none of their family members ever need MAT. Oh, that’s right, their family members will go to a beautiful “resort” on the beach because they have political power and money. I guarantee this will come back to bite them HARD with the DEATHS of more addicts but they don’t care. You guys should be ashamed but I bet your not… Sickening 🤮🤮🤮