CLINIC PROVIDES NEEDED HELP

I note with alarm that several persons in the community are circulating a
petition barring the opening of a methadone clinic at the Rutland Regional
Medical Center. They seem to be inspired (in part) by a number of doctors
associated with the hospital who have also submitted a petition condemning
the clinic.

Some years ago when I was in the alcohol treatment field, my director and I
presented an education session on alcohol abuse and treatment to a number
of local doctors at the hospital. It was one of the most difficult seminars
we had ever put on (among the scores we presented throughout the county).
The doctors were rude and inattentive and acted as though we had no right
to be there. One MD was heard to whisper to a companion (in responding to
solutions to problem drinking) to "buy 'em more booze."

Lately, the RRMC has been running a series of expensively produced
television ads depicting the virtues of their institution. At a recent
meeting held by the hospital regarding the methadone clinic, I was amazed
and gratified to see the many programs available for treatment of substance
abusers. My question: Are the doctors that oppose the clinic part of this
care? Will they refuse to treat the suffering heroin addict? Or do they
admit there is a problem at all?

The folks in the community who are circulating that petition are suffering
from the same blindness. Drug addiction is not just a problem for the
individual. It is a community problem, and we as a community need to deal
with it. Ten years ago, heroin was not a problem in Rutland. Now it is.
Prevention and education play a role, but full treatment is the best
prevention. The methadone clinic along with a pantheon of other treatments
are the best bulwark against this dread disease.

It is ironic that the MDs and community folks who oppose this clinic would
be the first in line to demand the very latest in treatments, were they
faced with a dangerous illness. Why deny this highly effective treatment
that calms the addict's storms and makes him and her amenable to other help?

These are our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers, our own
people. Sure, let's put Rutland First by putting its citizens first. I knew
what it was to be trapped in an alcoholic hell and what it was like to have
caring people around to bring me out. We can do no less for those who still
suffer.

Peter Cooper

Rutland