Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jun 2005
Source: Middlesboro Daily News, The (KY)
Copyright: 2005 None found
Contact:  http://www.middlesborodailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1854
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

STATE DELAYS DECISION ON CLINIC

The State Narcotic Authority has decided to reschedule today's review of 
Rehabilitation Drug Services' application to dispense Methadone in order to 
allow the public to attend the meeting.

But, there will be limitations.

"It's an open meeting with no public hearing or testimony. They'll let us 
in and listen to them, but that's good enough," said Dr. Ronald Dubin, 
founder of M.A.D (Middlesboro Against Drugs). Dubin and his organization 
have led the fight against the proposed clinic.

The meeting will be rescheduled before July 18, said Dubin.

Gwenda Bond, spokeswoman for the State Narcotic Authority said the decision 
was made because, "We knew people wanted to see the deliberations of the 
panel."

Bond said public input would not be welcomed at the meeting because the 
purpose of the panel was to review the application. She said it would 
consider previous stated public opinion, but not accept any new input. In 
an interview earlier this week, Dubin said he suspected legal action may be 
taken by the city of Middlesboro if the clinic is allowed to dispense 
Methadone.

The state could face litigation from the clinic owners as well. A. Thomas 
Monceret, a Knoxville attorney representing the clinic owners Barbara Smith 
and Pam Wenger said if the state does not license the clinic, he would 
advise his clients to file a suit under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Since the June 7 Middlesboro City Council meeting in which clinic officials 
addressed the council in an effort to inform the community of their 
intentions, a steady outpouring of public opposition has crystallized 
around MAD.

Two days later, MAD members and other concerned citizens packed the 
Middlesboro City Council chambers to voice their concerns to Bell.

On June 16, MAD hosted a protest rally downtown that drew more than 300 people.

Once the new meeting is rescheduled, Dubin said MAD would assemble as many 
people as possible to travel to Frankfort and attend the meeting.

"Our message was apparently heard in Frankfort, that we want our concerns 
to be heard in the panel," said Dubin.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom