Pubdate: Tue, 16 Nov 2010
Source: London Free Press (CN ON)
Copyright: 2010 The London Free Press
Contact: http://www.lfpress.com/comment/letters/write/
Website: http://www.lfpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/243
Author: Patrick Maloney
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

METHADONE CLINIC BAN MEETS LITTLE DISSENT

A one-year ban on new methadone clinics was approved by council 
Monday night, despite the impassioned plea of one departing politician.

Amid ongoing concerns from Old East residents over the problems 
created by a Dundas St. clinic that serves 700, council won't allow 
any new ones as city staff review ways to control where such 
facilities are opened.

In his final meeting on council, David Winninger was the lone vote 
against the plan - and urged his colleagues unsuccessfully to shoot it down.

"I feel very strongly that the planning committee and (planning) 
department has gone in the wrong direction," Winninger said.

"It sounds non-productive. It sounds insensitive to the needs of 
people who need methadone."

Methadone is a medication that helps addicts get off opiates such as 
OxyContin and heroin.

Coun. Roger Caranci said in response to Winninger that the problem 
isn't with the clinic's patients, but the other elements it attracts.

Sarah Merritt of the Old East Village Business association, whose 
neighbourhood has deep concerns about the Dundas clinic, had made 
similar comments earlier in the day.

"(The clinic) can attract more people to the area who can prey on 
users of methadone," she told politicians.

Though he admitted zoning can be a "blunt tool," city planning boss 
John Fleming says he will study using it to control where clinics can 
be opened.

Staff also will study the use of licensing to control methadone 
clinic locations. The one-year ban gives staff time to study the 
issue and report back to politicians.

It prohibits the opening of any new clinic or methadone dispensary - 
defined as a business where offering methadone is its primary service 
- - but doesn't affect pharmacies.

There are 22 London pharmacies licensed by a provincial body to 
dispense methadone. The province won't tell city officials where 
they're located.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom