Doctors seek funds to open meth detox clinic
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

One of the first physicians to practice in the Conejo Valley has teamed up with a local charity to run a methamphetamine and opiate detoxification clinic. The two will be coming to Moorpark Country Days to let people know about the ways they'd like to help the community.

Greg Akrey, 53, started Open Your Arms two years ago after his daughter's recovery from meth addiction. The nonprofit organization focused on group counseling, equine therapy and other general community service projects.

"I firsthand went through the trauma and decided to start the nonprofit," Akrey said. "I realized that people can't fight this alone. I have been absolutely shocked by the amount of crystal meth and heroin use going on in the area. I don't want people to go through what I did."

Over the years, Akrey often ran into an old friend, his former physician Dr. Irving Schaffner. Schaffner, who began practicing in the Conejo Valley in 1958, took a hiatus from general medicine for a few years after his wife's death and started treating substance abuse patients. Akrey and Schaffner talked and decided to "join forces."

The two have been working hard helping patients and raising funds for several months now, and they are looking forward to doing some outreach in Moorpark.

Akrey volunteered at GamerDays earlier this month.

"I went to help out for four hours and ended up staying for four days," Akrey said. "I met with some people from the Moorpark Rotary and we have a great relationship going with them."

The Rotary Club offered Akrey a booth at Moorpark Country Days and he and Schaffner jumped at the chance.

"We want people to know we have help available at low cost, if any cost at all," Akrey said. "A lot of people just don't know where to go."

Schaffner said their approach to treating opiate detox is to minimize withdrawal symptoms.

The doctor administers Suboxone, which suppresses symptoms of opioid withdrawal and decreases cravings for opioids. Schaffner may also provide drugs to help sleep disorders and anxiety.

The two also put together a team that includes a biofeedback specialist, a personal trainer with full gym, counselors and a neural linguist to assist in the overall recovery of the patient.

"We put together a whole crew," Akrey said. "We have all the tools; we just don't have the funding. We have a group of likeminded individuals that I know can really do something for these kids."

A big part of the healing process is bringing in the addict's family.

"This is an epidemic and not just a local problem by any means," Akrey said. "What people don't realize is that it's not just a personal issue of the drug user—it's a family issue. We are finding out . . . unbelievable facts about how the family as a whole greatly contributes to the problems people are having getting off these drugs.

"We try to bring the whole social unit together. We try to break down those barriers."

Akrey has applied for more than $5 million in grants from state and federal sources but hasn't heard back yet. He said it will take anywhere from $300,000 to $500,000 to get the meth detox portion of the clinic off the ground.

"This problem is worse than bad," Schaffner said. "They are charging $20,000 to $30,000 at Promises in Malibu—people can't afford that. We want to help everyone."

"You think it wouldn't happen in this community, but it is," he said.

The clinic is open every day. For more information, call Akrey at (805) 827-4703.