Pubdate: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 Source: West Australian (Australia) Copyright: 2000 West Australian Newspapers Limited Contact: +61 8 94823830 Website: http://thewest.com.au/redirect.shtml Author: Wendy Pryer NORTHAM REJECTS CLINIC ANTI-DRUG crusader George O'Neil has failed in his bid to house 18 heroin addicts in a disused hospital building in Northam. Northam Town Council has rejected Dr O'Neil's application. He has appealed to Planning Minister Graham Kierath. The proposed clinic was to be near the centre of Northam, 97km north-east of Perth. Dr O'Neil's company, Australian Medical Procedures Research Foundation, bought the old hospital for $350,000 in March. The controversial doctor had applied to establish a clinic in the nurses"quarters of the old hospital. Dr O'Neil, who treats addicts at his Subiaco clinic, wanted to send 18 patients to Northam for naltrexone treatment after rapid detoxification in the city. On Wednesday, Northam Town Council voted 8-2 against Dr O'Neil's proposal. The council accused him of failing to consult and convince the community of the benefits of his plan. Dr O'Neil said the council made a subjective and flawed decision. Council chief executive Don Burnett said 1283 public submissions opposed the clinic and 135 supported it. He said the community believed there was no demand for the clinic in Northam. It could lead to increased pressure on local health and police resources. Dr O'Neil said similar clinics had been accepted by communities in Mandurah, Kalgoorlie and Geraldton. Northam National MLA Max Trenorden said he supported Dr O'Neil's plan but he would not go against his community's wishes. He believed the clinic would go ahead after government intervention. Plans by a Northam businessman for a drug rehabilitation farm in the South-West have also been rejected. There is some country support for the Catholic Church Crossroads drug treatment program. Father Paul Baczynski, who runs the program, said he was negotiating with an unnamed country council for the approval of a drug treatment farm. - --- MAP posted-by: John Chase