Pubdate: Tue, 20 Jan 2004
Source: Bristol Herald Courier (VA)
Copyright: 2004 Bristol Herald Courier
Contact: http://www.bristolnews.com/contact.html
Website: http://www.bristolnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1211
Author: Chris Dumond
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

SCHOOL BOARD OPPOSES METHADONE CLINIC PLANS

ABINGDON - Washington County School Board members voiced unanimous 
disapproval of the proposed location of a methadone clinic near a county 
school Monday night.

"We are opposed to a methadone clinic in proximity to any Washington County 
schools due to concern for students' safety," was the message approved that 
will be delivered to the Board of Supervisors and county administrator.

In December, county officials learned that Appalachian Treatment Services 
of Greenville, S.C., had plans to open a methadone clinic on Old Dominion 
Road near Bristol Virginia. The site is about 1,650 feet away from John S. 
Battle High School as the crow flies and about 3,250 feet away by car.

"We're not taking a stand on the efficacy of methadone therapy," Chairwoman 
Elizabeth Lowe said. "This is a bad location and we're concerned about an 
increase in traffic in that area."

Clinic operators said the clinic could serve as many as 200 clients seeking 
relief from their addiction to opiate drugs like heroin and the 
prescription painkiller oxycodone.

Board Vice Chairwoman Kathi Roark said the flow of student traffic on to 
and off of Lee Highway at the school is already dangerous without any of 
the congestion expected to be created by clinic clients.

Roark said she has also heard strong disapproval of the clinic from those 
in the community served by the high school.

Indeed, more than 100 residents of the Lowry Hills subdivision have 
attended the past two Board of Supervisors meetings in protest of the 
clinic. The subdivision's only entrance is Old Dominion, on which the 
clinic would be located.

While clinic supporters suggest there is no evidence of an increase in 
crime tied to new methadone clinics, opponents said it's not worth taking a 
chance. They said they would like to see the clinic located near a hospital 
or other medical facility and away from schools, churches and homes.

Board member Buckey Boone said he believes that the county should rewrite 
zoning ordinances to outlaw methadone clinics near schools, but he wasn't 
sure how any change in local law would affect the clinic since the group 
has already applied for a license with the state and for zoning approval 
from the county.

Clinic operators have asked County Administrator Mark Reeter for a 
certificate of occupancy - a technical approval that a methadone clinic 
would be allowed according to the county's zoning rules.

The land is zoned for general business.

Although the code allows for some medical facilities such as offices for 
doctors and dentists, clinic opponents said a methadone clinic does not 
fall into those classifications.

Whether the certificate will be issued is an entirely administrative 
decision. County officials said they expect that decision to be made soon.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman