Pubdate: Mon, 17 Sep 2012
Source: London Free Press (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 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
Page: 5

PICTURE-TAKING PROTESTORS VILIFIED

METHADONE: Patients' privacy, human rights violated, expert
says

Disgusting. Dehumanizing. Despicable.

The reaction of many Londoners to an exclusive Free Press story on one
neighbourhood's efforts to force out a methadone-dispensing pharmacy -
including taking photos of patients getting their addiction-treating
medication there - was swift and severe.

The woman behind the protest has been the target of many readers'
vitriol.

"I'm being swarmed by people harassing the s--t out of me. They're
sending me nasty e-mails," said Marsha, whose last name The Free Press
agreed not to publish.

"I don't hate on people getting methadone and I wasn't taking their
picture because I don't like them. My problem was the city allowing a
methadone clinic to set up without a (public) warning."

City bylaws governing methadone clinic and pharmacy locations apply
only to those serving 40 or more patients daily. The one in Marsha's
neighbourhood - Argyle, in East London - hadn't reached that threshold.

At issue was the opening of the London Drug Mart at 1617 Dundas St.,
which she and neighbours believed would be dispensing methadone and
could cause the same community conflict as a large Dundas St. clinic,
near Beal secondary school.

The protests may have worked. The pharmacy has closed although it's
unclear why and Free Press efforts to contact its owner have been
unsuccessful.

Two weeks ago, Marsha and about 20 other residents protested beside
the pharmacy, holding signs and taking pictures of the patients.

One addictions expert called the photo-taking "a complete violation of
an individual's human right to access health-care services."

After The Free Press published a story Friday about protesters
photographing patients, there was plenty of reaction. Many on Twitter
were critical of protesters, and one of the nearly 150 comments at
lfpress.com included Marsha's last name and some contact information.
(The Free Press removed those comments once aware of them.)

Methadone is an opioid that helps wean people off more addictive
opioids such as heroin and oxycodone.

Neighbours in Old South also are opposing a proposed Wharncliffe Rd.
clinic.
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MAP posted-by: Matt