Pubdate: Wed, 02 Jun 2004
Source: Shelby County Reporter ( AL)
Copyright: 2004 Shelby County Reporter
Contact:  http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2949
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

NEW METHADONE HEARING DESERVED

This Friday, citizens of Saginaw and the rest of Shelby County hope their 
voices will finally resonate with the applicants behind the county's first 
methadone clinic. They're not welcome.

Without the community's consent, two applicants received approval to open 
the Shelby Treatment Center on U.S. 31 in Saginaw. The process was frought 
with errors, including forged letters of support. When a public hearing was 
held, nobody attended because nobody knew. All of the sudden, construction 
had begun on a methadone clinic in unincorporated Saginaw.

Angry neighbors foresaw legions of drug addicts creeping into Saginaw's 
sleepy landscape to receive treatment for their dependence on heroin and 
painkillers. They grimaced at the image of drug addicts climbing behind the 
wheels of their cars after leaving the methadone clinic, aiming their 
headlights for the bustling traffic on U.S. 31.

Rest assured, this Friday's hearing at the Shelby County Courthouse is 
encouraging to opponents of the methadone clinic. All construction at the 
clinic has been ordered to a stop, pending further notice.

Hopefully, that further notice will include a permanent restraining order 
to stop the clinic from opening. The community deserves a new hearing 
process so that they can get the opportunity to voice their concerns to the 
state board that grants approval for methadone clinics.

Thank goodness our local officials are stepping forward to grant citizens 
the right to have their voices heard on an issue that will impact the 
community. It's reassuring when government makes an effort to correct its 
mistakes.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D