12/28/2003 - Last November a pregnant patient at the Goleta clinic was denied methadone treatment while in the Santa Barbara County Jail (apparently wrongfully incarcerated). Consequently the patient and unborn fetus went through withdrawal trauma, which resulted in a miscarriage. The denial of treatment (including provision of methadone) to patients of narcotic treatment programs (“NTPs”) is a severe violation of the 1978 Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as California law. These patients and a selection of other recovering addicts are a protected class under the ADA.
The above-mentioned incident is the most recent case that has reached the office of Steven Karlton Kop, Esq., Aegis General Counsel. For the last five years, Mr. Kop has been protecting the rights of recovering addicts at no charge to the patients. In all cases the attorney’s fees and all other related expenses (e.g., expert witnesses) are being financed by Aegis Medical Systems and Aegis Institute
(a nonprofit organization) in an amount which already exceeds one hundred thousand dollars.
Aegis Medical Systems, Inc., operates one of the largest chains of narcotic treatment programs in the nation. Headquartered in Canoga Park California, Aegis has 26 clinics throughout the state serving over 5,500 patients per day. For the last six years, Aegis has focused its efforts on raising clinical standards and regulatory compliance. Since 2000, Aegis has allocated significant resources to the training of its 300 employees, and to the development of new and more effective treatment policies, protocols and procedures, as well as expanded its Scope of Practice to address the various medical, mental and socio-economic needs of its patients.
Aegis is also supporting the successful recover of its patients through its Patient Advocacy and Advisory Group (PAAG), Keys To Recovery (K2R) support groups, as well as commissioned offices for an Ombudsman, General Counsel, and Legislative Analyst (Jim Gonzalez & Associates). Additionally, Aegis has participated in pharmaceutical and behavioral research studies with other leading institutions (e.g., NIDA, Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, Rand Corporation, Friends Research, etc.)
The Aegis Family of Corporations includes Aegis Medical Systems, Inc., Aegis Institute, Inc. (a non-profit organization), and Nationwide Medical Group, Inc. (a professional corporation).
Contact Person(s):
Priscilla Shrader, Executive Assistant
Aegis Medical Systems, Inc.
(818) 206-0360
Steven Karlton Kop, General Counsel
Aegis Medical Systems, Inc.
(818) 206-0360