Pubdate: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 Source: Lowell Sun (MA) Copyright: 2006 MediaNews Group, Inc. Contact: http://www.lowellsun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/852 Author: Christopher Scott Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) CITY BLASTS PLAN FOR METHADONE CLINIC LOWELL -- City leaders yesterday blasted a proposal by a Watertown corporation to open a methadone clinic downtown in the shadow of Lowell High School, saying "it's the worst possible thing in the worst possible location." On Friday, officials from Relief Associates LLC, 60 Arsenal St., Watertown, briefed some leaders on their proposal -- visiting with Police Superintendent Edward Davis and Lowell Plan President James Cook -- to lease space at 35 John St. The building, former home of the city Health Department, is owned by Louis Saab, who owns numerous downtown buildings and has frequently been at odds with local political and business leaders over downtown development. Joseph Chery, Relief Associates' director of community development, could not be reached for comment yesterday. But in a letter to city officials, Chery wrote: "We are an organization comprised of concerned professionals with significant experience in the behavioral health care and treatment field. After careful evaluation of the demographics and treatment resources in the Lowell community, we have come to realize a need for additional comprehensive and accessible substance abuse treatment services. We have secured a location at 35 John St." Methadone is a medically prescribed substance that blocks the effects of heroin and reduces the craving for it. There are about 35 methadone clinics across the state, including one on Suffolk Street in Lowell called Habit Management Institute. The issue is scheduled to be discussed at tonight's City Council meeting, where several councilors, including Edward "Bud" Caulfield, Rodney Elliott and Armand Mercier -- all of whom oppose the proposal -- will ask City Manager John Cox for an update. Cox said he heard of the proposal late Friday. "I don't support this for all the obvious reasons, not the least of which is the location to the high school and our downtown development efforts," he said. Relief Associates' letter also states that the company "is working" with the state Department of Public Health to license the program, which will include comprehensive clinical, medical and case-management services. Department of Public Health spokesperson Donna Rheaume said Relief Associates cannot open the clinic until licensed to do so by the DPH. A license application has not yet been submitted. It typically takes between three and six months to consider an application. City Health Director Frank Singleton was investigating whether any city permits are required for Relief Associates to open. Rheaume said any community opposition "would be part of the process," as would the proposed site's proximity to a school. Lowell High School's Freshman Academy stands diagonally across the street from the proposed site, and the main LHS buildings are both within two blocks. State Sen. Steven Panagiotakos and Reps. Thomas Golden, Kevin Murphy and David Nangle, all Lowell Democrats, vowed yesterday to lead the fight to defeat the proposal. "Again, it's a typical situation," Panagiotakos said. "Urban centers serve as the capital for social-service agencies. That's fine, but just don't inundate us with them." Panagiotakos said not only is Lowell High too close, "a downtown methadone clinic is just not consistent with what we're trying to accomplish downtown." "You could kiss downtown condo buyers goodbye," added Lowell High School Headmaster William Samaras. "But that's not my first concern. My first concern is the kids, and this just doesn't make any sense." Panagiotakos said a school within 1,000 feet of a proposed methadone clinic should be grounds to reject any application. In this case, Lowell High's Freshman Academy, located in the former City Arts Magnet School, is "well within" 1,000 feet, he said. Davis said in many cases, methadone clinics generate more crime. Davis said in the early 1990s, drug dealing and property crimes increased in the neighborhood around Habit Management, which opened in 1987. "People who have addiction problems are an easy audience for drug dealers, and frequently drug dealers set up around these areas," said Davis. But in recent years, crime rates around Habit Management have been reduced, Davis added, primarily due to an extensive private security force. Robert Caruso, president of Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank, whose main office is located across the street from 35 John St., also assailed the proposal. "Even more critical than what we're trying to accomplish in the downtown in terms of development is the proximity to the high school," Caruso said. Although he never mentioned Saab by name, Caruso also said "corporate responsibility" is being forgotten "so someone can line their pockets." Saab did not return two telephone calls left at his office yesterday. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom