Pubdate: Fri, 28 Mar 2008
Source: Morning Call (Allentown, PA)
Copyright: 2008 The Morning Call Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mcall.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/275
Author: Ashley Kosciolek
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

CROWD OF 100 BLASTS PROPOSED CLINIC

Residents Express Concerns About Crime, Impact On Businesses

More than 100 frustrated Kidder Township residents packed an
informational meeting Thursday to show their opposition to a
for-profit methadone clinic proposed for a site near routes 80 and
940.

The half-acre property -- near Arby's, Long John Silver's, and Wawa --
would be leased from current owner PA Route 940 LLC, and a former gas
station there would be converted into a rehabilitation center for
those addicted to drugs such as heroin, oxycodones like OxyContin and
Percocet, and hydrocodones like Vicodin, among other opiates. The
clinic would permitted under township zoning regulations.

Project head Steve Shaner of Pinnacle Treatment Centers, which is
privately owned by another company from California, fielded questions
from irate residents at an informational meeting at which township
supervisors took no action.

"There have been no plans or applications filed yet," said township
solicitor Daniel Miscavige, noting that a zoning permit was issued by
the township's zoning officer in October after it was determined that
medical, chiropractic, dental and similar clinics are allowed on the
commercial property.

Shaner, who has worked in the drug and alcohol treatment field for 25
years, said most patients would come from within 25 miles of the
township -- the majority coming from Wilkes Barre and Hazleton --
leaving residents and supervisors wondering why the facility cannot be
planned for an area with a larger drug problem.

"There is a major drug problem here, and it's getting worse, and it's
going to continue to get worse," said Howard Davis, a resident and
former 26-year Philadelphia narcotics officer.

Although Davis acknowledges the drug problem, he said he does not
support a clinic in the area because patients often "spit" or store
methadone -- a synthetic opiate used to treat addictions -- in their
mouths until they can sell it to drug dealers. He is also worried
about increases in thefts that addicts may bring to the area.

"We're not going to hide our heads in the sand and act like we don't
have a problem," said Supervisor Ray Gluck. "But this is a resort
community, and a lot of homes are vacant for most of the week, for a
lot of the year."

Shaner said the voluntary, outpatient clinic would be open from 5:30
or 6 a.m. until about 11 a.m. for patients to receive medication and
possibly until 1 p.m. for counseling. During that time, Shaner expects
up to between 250 and 300 patients per day 7 days a week to visit the
facility once the program is up and running, but the maximum number of
patients allowed would be regulated by the state.

Shaner said Pinnacle -- which has four locations in the state and four
more planned in New Jersey -- employs a few nurses, one counselor for
every 35 patients, a security guard and uses video surveillance to
monitor the premises.

The facility would use random urine testing to make sure patients are
staying opiate-free, which is how Pinnacle measures its success rate,
currently about 90 percent, Shaner said. But, those who do not stick
with treatment have a nine in 10 chance of relapsing.

"A clinic like this is certainly not going to help the value of my
business," said Arby's and Long John Silver's owner Jeffry Popple.

Mountain Laurel Resort owner W. Jack Kalins also spoke out against the
clinic, saying he wants to protect his guests as well as the $10
million investment he has made in his business.

"This is not what we need in our area," said Linda Szoke, a
councilwoman from neighboring White Haven Borough, who attended the
meeting to say that all members of the borough council oppose the
facility as well. "You need to go home, sir."

Szoke, who has worked at nearby Split Rock Resort for 12 years, said
it would definitely have an impact on the municipalities' police
forces, as well as tourism.

Met with the overwhelmingly negative response, Shaner said the issue
would likely come down to whether the clinic is legally allowed to be
on the property. Pinnacle has applied for a state Transportation
Department highway occupancy permit and is also awaiting building and
occupancy permits from the township.

The facility, which Shaner said he hopes would be operational by the
end of this summer, also would require authorization from the state's
Department of Health, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and
the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath