IT’S A HOME RUN: The Fauquier, Kettle Run and Liberty baseball teams are previewed. Page 15, 18
March 13, 2019
Our 202nd year | Vol. 202, No. 11 | www.Fauquier.com | $1.50
Medicaid, MAT expand help for addicts By Karen Chaffraix Times Staff Writer
Deaths from drug overdoses have been on the rise since 2013; they numbered 19 in Fauquier County in 2018. Now, wider access to Medicaid and new regional clinics offering “medication-assisted treatment,” also known as MAT, are giving those battling addiction more options. MAT utilizes the anti-craving medication buprenorphine, known by the brand name “Suboxone,” combined with behavioral therapy and case management.
Locally, Dr. Ash Diwan provides a comprehensive MAT program with colleague Dr. Jorge Minera at Piedmont Family practice in Warrenton. Diwan is also partnering with Winchester Addiction Services’ John Lindsey to broaden MAT availability in the region, and is considering opening a clinic in Front Royal. Diwan accepts all insurance, including Medicaid, and said, “we work with” those who have no insurance. Diwan, board certified in both pain and addiction management, is acutely aware of the problems affecting those with chronic pain and opioid addic-
tion, and with the laws that restrict their treatment. Diwan said he strongly believes in the collaborative structure of the MAT program to treat and support the patient on multiple levels. “Addiction is a chronic disease; it needs regular follow-up and assessment,” he said. “Thirty-day programs have a 100 percent failure rate. You can’t just walk out cured on the 30th day.” Ongoing treatment, some for life, may be required, he said. “Physicians treating patients with a short run of buprenorphine and no therapy are putting patients at risk,” he added.
See MAT, Page 4
Local soybean farmers don’t blame tariffs for low prices By Leonard Shapiro Contributing Writer
Conventional wisdom says that the trade war and onerous tariffs over the last year between the U.S. and China have been the main factors in keeping the price of soybeans at distressingly low levels for American farmers. But in Fauquier County, several producers say that the tariffs are only a small piece of the problem. “The prices started wavering long before anyone was talking about tariffs,” said Sid Rodgers, owner of Moriah Farm in Warrenton, who farms about 1,500 acres in soybeans. “Prices were lower last year and last year was lower than the year before. The prices were low with Obama.” China buys more soybeans than any other country; purchasers crush the oilseed into meal, used in livestock feed, and cooking oil. China has been the largest purchaser of American soybeans in recent years, but last year reduced American soybean imports by 96 percent, looking instead to Brazil for soybeans. The soybean market essentially crashed when the tariff war began, according to Dr. John Newton, American Farm Bureau Federation chief economist.
See SOYBEANS, Page 6 INSIDE Business.............................................13 Classified............................................35 Communities......................................30 Faith...................................................28
TIMES STAFF PHOTO/ROBIN EARL Ron DesLauriers, husband of Deja Brew co-owner Eileen DesLauriers, speaks about what he’d like to see in Warrenton’s comprehensive plan.
Warrenton planners ask for input on comprehensive plan By Robin Earl
Times Staff Writer
Warrenton Town officials have rolled out a new website, www.warrentonplan.com, to inform residents about Plan Warrenton 2040, its comprehensive plan process. The plan will provide a foundation for all decision-making concerning land use planning and growth management. The last comprehensive plan for the town was completed in 2009.
Libraries.............................................32 Lifestyle..............................................23 Looking Back......................................21 Opinion...............................................10
This process has included an open house on March 2 at the WARF and an interactive workshop on March 5 at the PATH Foundation. At the March 5 event, town planners asked for input about how residents would like to see Warrenton develop over the next 20 years. The 50 residents in attendance marked their preferences by voting on what aspects of Warrenton are most important and what they’d like to see in their town in the future.
See PLAN, Page 8
Obituaries...........................................33 Puzzles...............................................12 Real Estate..........................................29 Sports.................................................15