Former Calais hospital eyed for residential drug treatment

American Hope Charities (AHC), a Christian faith-based, nonprofit corporation from California, has its eye on the former Calais Regional Hospital as a temporary location to operate a 12-month residential drug treatment rehabilitation and education program. Jorge Rivera-Bernal, PhD, met with Calais city officials on December 13 to present a plan to offer clients in Washington County physical, chemical and emotional evaluations along with medical, hands-on and follow-up treatment. AHC's plans include the hiring of approximately 230 people.

In an interview, Dr. Rivera-Bernal said, "We are seeking a temporary location here in Calais next to the hospital. I've just met with Ray Davis, CEO of Calais hospital, and I've assured him that we are not competing with the hospital; they will benefit from us. This will be a residential facility only; we are not dispensing medication."

Rivera-Bernal says his corporation chose Calais because of "the similarities of small towns like Calais and Anchorage, Alaska, where we are in the process of setting up a program there. I think there is an opportunity here." AHC has set up a similar project in Idaho, according to Rivera-Bernal. He says he had met Sharon Grant, now AHC's registered agent, through the Department of Veterans Affairs office in Calais, and Grant had worked to secure a nonprofit status for the corporation. Grant said in an interview that "Calais definitely needs this."

Concerning the AHC presentation before the Calais City Council, City Manager Diane Barnes states, "AHC had met with the council to go over a very, very preliminary plan. They plan to rely on state and federal grants. They didn't ask for any local funds to operate. Dr. Rivera-Bernal did say that he would provide our city council with updates on the program every three months." Rivera- Bernal confirmed his promise made to city officials.

According to AHC, drugs of particular concern in Washington County are marijuana, crack cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, OxyContin and Dilaudid. Rivera-Bernal says his corporation wants "to attack the drug problem here at the local level" and he wants to "give the opportunity for workers [hired by AHC] that are willing, able and competent" to join his staff to help others. "There's a lot of latent talent among retirees, and we can use that to our benefit."

Rivera-Bernal says that, in his meeting with Ray Davis, he said AHC would "not seek anyone [employees] from the hospital. Our interest is to support the hospital, not take away from it."

Calais Regional Hospital spokesperson and public relations representative DeeDee Travis says that Davis had met with Rivera-Bernal on two occasions "in a general discussion," but "there was no definitive plan or proposal" during or after the meetings.

Rivera-Bernal offers to keep all parties informed about any development regarding American Hope Charities' plans.