Pubdate: Wed, 25 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 and Hillary Chabot
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

HEAT GROWS AGAINST METHADONE-CLINIC PLAN

Officials: Methadone Plan Bad For Downtown

LOWELL - City councilors last night mounted an aggressive crusade to 
keep a methadone clinic out of downtown Lowell.

Councilor Eileen Donoghue demanded details on opening a clinic, and 
suggested the state Department of Public Health be informed of how 
close schools are to  the proposed site.

"To put this across the street from the second-largest high school in 
the state, it makes me wonder if the (DPH) has even reviewed this," 
she said. "I want to make sure we're aggressive on the city side on 
this, including if the city has to take action against the Department 
of Public Health." Last week, two men met with Police Superintendent 
Edward Davis and Lowell Plan President James Cook and suggested 
putting a methadone clinic at 35 John St. The location is not only 
feet away from the Lowell High school, it's also right next door to 
the Lowell Alternative High School. City Manager John Cox vowed to 
keep a close watch on the proposal, adding that he "had a good 
conversation," with 35 John St. landlord Louis Saab. "Clearly this 
has created some concern with business members and residents in the 
community," Cox said. "This is a situation which is still fluid, but 
we are  preparing ourselves to go forward. There is nothing formally 
before the city,  but we will continue to monitor the situation." DPH 
officials have the authority to license such a clinic, but a license 
application hasn't been submitted yet, said DPH spokeswoman Donna 
Rheaume. It takes between three and six months to consider an 
application, during which time state officials would consider any 
community opposition. The DPH will also consider the proximity to 
schools, Sen. Steven Panagiotakos said. The proposed location is 137 
feet from Lowell High School's Freshman Academy. "That's well below 
the 1,000-foot radius," said Panagiotakos, referring to the state 
laws that make it illegal to sell drugs within a "school zone." City 
Health Director Frank Singleton was investigating whether any city 
permits were needed to open the clinic.

City Councilor Rodney Elliot argued that social services should stop 
using Lowell as a "dumping ground." "I don't know why Lowell is 
always looked at as a home for these things," Elliott said. "They 
keep creeping up. I don't think we are the answer to all these social 
services." Cox said he would stay in touch with Panagiotakos and 
other state representatives, and keep city councilors appraised of 
any action on the clinic. The two men who presented their methadone 
clinic idea to city officials last Friday have either declined to be 
interviewed or couldn't be reached over the course of two days.

One of the men, Leonard Pudt, is the owner of a Fall River 
physical-therapy clinic called National Physical Therapy.

Pudt, of Easton, has declined to answer Sun questions on three 
separate occasions, instead referring questions to Joseph M. Chery. 
Chery's business card lists him as director of community development 
for Relief Associates LLC, of Watertown. The telephone number listed 
on Chery's business card rings at Middlesex Physical Therapy, 75 
Middlesex St. Attempts to reach Chery at there were unsuccessful. 
Directory assistance has no listing for Relief Associates LLC, in Watertown.

According to secretary of state records, the limited liability 
partnership's address is 60 Arsenal St., Watertown. The same address 
belongs to Alford & Bertrand, a law firm.

Pudt is listed as a manager of the corporation, as is Myrna Alford of 
Newton Centre; Felix Shlosman of Brookline; and Alex Schmidt of 
Brookline. According to state records, the "general character of the 
LLC" is the operation of drug treatment clinics.

Meanwhile, Ken Powers, executive director of Lowell House, a 
substance-abuse counseling service on Merrimack Street, said Lowell 
doesn't need another methadone clinic.

"We have more than enough services in town," said Powers, himself a 
licensed drug and alcohol counselor.

Lowell 's existing methadone clinic is operated by Boston-based Habit 
Management on Suffolk Street in Lowell. It also operates similar 
facilities in Fitchburg and Lawrence, in addition to 10 other 
locations across the state. Powers said if there is indeed an 
increased demand, then Habit Management would be more than willing to 
meet the demand.

"It's a business," said Powers. "It's a money-making business." 
Echoing a similar sentiment, Singleton said he is unaware of any 
increased demand. "No one is beating down my door for this service," 
said Singleton. Rheaume said it's up to the community to determine 
whether there is local need. "Local input is critical" in any 
application procedure, said Rheaume. Councilor Rita Mercier said 
putting a methadone clinic in downtown Lowell is as bad as putting in 
a strip club.

"This issue is right up there with putting an adult entertainment 
center downtown," Mercier said last night. "I'm just as disgusted as 
everybody else."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman