Veterans Health Care: Calais VA clinic’s opioid history is on law enforcement radar in Washington County

A VA investigation into the clinic’s history of writing and monitoring prescriptions for opiate-based drugs cited a “chronic” shortage of staff for whatever abuses have occurred. The clinic has been without a full-time physician since January 2011. Smith agrees that’s a problem.

“They have a task force that deals with doctor over-prescribing,” Smith said. “I certainly commend the VA for taking this action and their ongoing investigation. Like I always say, you can be part of the problem or part of the solution. This is a step in right direction.”

The Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Calais is now undertaking steps to address and resolve the findings of a recent Department of Veterans Affairs investigation that substantiated irregularities related to prescribing and monitoring opiate-based painkillers.

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