Pubdate: Wed, 09 Feb 2005 Source: Kingsport Times-News (TN) Copyright: 2005 Kingsport Publishing Corporation Contact: http://gotricities.net/domains/timesnews.net/lettertoEditor.dna?action=new Website: http://www.timesnews.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1437 Author: Kenny W. Lunsford Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) METHADONE CLINICS CAUSE PROBLEMS I must applaud Mr. Bowen of Gate City, who was right on with his letter stating that switching from one addiction to another accomplishes nothing productive. I retired after 32 years from a major police department in the Midwest and can tell you firsthand that putting a methadone clinic in your neighborhood is the wrong thing to do. Drug addicts will come to that clinic for their methadone, which is nothing more than an addicting drug to replace another. They even leave the clinic with the drug to sell on the street. The crime rate in the area will go up, but the people who run the clinic don't care because it's all about money. I'm sure I'll get a lot of rebuttal on this, but I know what I'm talking about. I don't believe methadone is a proper way to help someone fight addition. I will fight with every breath in me if they try to put one in my neighborhood, and I think everyone in this area should do the same. Kenny W. Lunsford Church Hill - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom