LIHU‘E — A whistleblower who left his court-ordered in-resident drug treatment fearing pressure from other patients wanting to buy drugs will return to the same facility without action against him. Uriah Eli Calcagno “absconded” from his inpatient drug-treatment therapy at
LIHU‘E — A whistleblower who left his court-ordered in-resident drug treatment fearing pressure from other patients wanting to buy drugs will return to the same facility without action against him.
Uriah Eli Calcagno “absconded” from his inpatient drug-treatment therapy at Poailani Residential Treatment Services on O‘ahu, according to his public defender Christian Enright. Rather than running from his treatment to relapse, however, Enright said Calcagno was serious about his recovery and felt it was at risk.
Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe held a Dec. 7 videoconference with Calcagno and staff of Poailani and the Department of Health on O‘ahu to follow up on a Nov. 23 conference that resulted with his order to temporary care with the Hawai‘i State Hospital.
Dr. Arlene Hagen, treating physician, stated that Calcagno left after feeling threatened by “aggressive patients” who were pressuring him to join a pool to buy drugs inside the facility. According to Hagen, the in-patient rehabilitation was succeeding and Calcagno was motivated to continue, but was uncomfortable with a setting that threatened his ability to stay clean and out of trouble.
Hagen recommended that Calcagno return to Poailani, where the sources of his anxiety have been addressed and that the facility welcomes his return.
Enright requested that Calcagno be sent to another qualified residential treatment center that is contracted with the Department of Health. He said that as a whistleblower, the request was in the interest of Calcagno’s safety and to avoid possible retaliation.
Speaking for Poailani, Dr. James Hall objected to the concerns and emphasized that Poailani was the best possible setting for Calcagno now that the matter has been addressed. The patients in question were asked to leave the facility, he said, and a support team for Calcagno is in place.
Poailani is a DOH contracted nonprofit community-based service provider where Calcagno was living before being returned to the Hawai‘i State Hospital, according to Hawai‘i State Department of Health Communications Director Janice Okubo.
“Poailani is conducting a thorough investigation and addressing the issue appropriately,” Okubo said. “As we understand, the facility in question is Poailani and not Hawai‘i State Hospital. The individual said he felt threatened at the Poailani facility and left there — without authorization.”
The DOG Adult Mental Health Division is also following-up on any potential quality of care issues through their Performance Improvement Office, according to Okubo. The PIO is investigating further and reviewing the Poailani report to ensure appropriate action was taken.
Calcagno, 26, of Kilauea, was arrested for family abuse on June 11, and third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug on April 17. He was arrested on three-counts of second-degree assault on Dec. 2, 2010.
A three-panel examination found the defendant mentally fit to proceed for trial and felony charges were reduced to third-degree misdemeanor assault in March. After waiving his right to jury trial, Calcagno optioned for a stipulated facts trial and was granted conditional release on June 29.
A probation officer reported Calcagno had missed appointments and tested positive for “Ice” and marijuana at a Sept. 29 hearing. His condition became a concern and he was placed under the care of the DOH for a 72 hour evaluation that lead to an order for temporary hospitalization on Nov. 21.
Watanabe said there was no medical update filed from the DOH on Wednesday and so went with their recommendation to place Calcagno at Poailani. No further action taken by the court regarding the existing order previously filed and a status review hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7.
Also appearing in 5th Circuit Court Wednesday were County Second Prosecuting Attorney Samuel Jajich and Dr. Keith Claypoole of Kaua‘i Community Mental Health Center. Others appearing on O‘ahu included social workers Roblyn Fountain and Jenna Law.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by emailing tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
