Pubdate: Fri, 06 Sep 2002 Source: Johnson City Press (TN) Copyright: 2002 Johnson City Press and Associated Press Contact: http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983 Author: James Watson, Press Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) PANEL'S OPPOSITION TO CLINIC UNANIMOUS Johnson City commissioners took a strong stand Thursday night against a proposed methadone clinic locating just outside the city's downtown area. "I don't oppose a methadone clinic in downtown Johnson City," City Commissioner Steve Darden said during his board's regular meeting. "I oppose a methadone clinic in Johnson City, period." By a unanimous vote, the commission adopted a resolution declaring its intent to work against allowing the Johnson City Addiction Research and Treatment Center LLC to locate at 200 W. Fairview Ave. "I have not heard from one member of the local medical community that would like to see this (group) set up shop in Johnson City," Darden said. "That speaks volumes." The clinic would treat those addicted to heroin and other opiates by using the alternative substance methadone. In June, the center was granted a certificate of need by the state Health Facilities Commission to locate in Johnson City. In a second presentation to the commission asking for its assistance in working against the clinic, Frontier Health President Doug Varney said the area's medical community has a unified front against the clinic. Varney has joined numerous other city organizations, including the city's Public Library, East Tennessee State University, the Johnson City Development Authority and the Chamber of Commerce in asking for an appeal of the state commission's decision. The appeal hearing will be held in Nashville next week. In an emotional presentation to the commission, Susan Barry told of the recent death of her 29-year-old daughter, Bridgette Barry Boudle, and said she was working to keep the methadone clinic out of Johnson City in memory of her daughter. Boudle was found dead in an Elizabethton motel on June 30. Medical tests revealed the woman, who had two children ages 6 and 9, had methadone in her system when she died, her mother said. "I'd give anything in the world if I didn't have to be here tonight," Barry told the panel. Holding back tears, she said her daughter wasn't in a treatment program, but was with group of people staying at the motel at the time of her death. "Don't ask me why she's dead. The only reason I know she is dead is because methadone was in her system," Barry said, pleading with the commission to stand against the clinic. She warned them about having an open mind to alternative treatments. "Anybody can forget about me having an open mind about methadone," she said. "There is nothing anybody can say that would change my mind." [REMAINDER OF ARTICLE DEALING WITH NON-DRUG POLICY ISSUES NOT ARCHIVED] - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl