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."

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