MAKING ROOM FOR METHADONE

There is one obstacle delaying the first methadone clinic in the
Champaign-Urbana area from opening: a children's museum.

Not many people oppose opening the clinic that gives heroin addicts a
less destructive drug, methadone, to wean them off heroin and hands
out clean needles to current users. It's the location that bothers
people.

But shouldn't parents be more worried about bringing their kids to an
area where a clinic does not exist and heroin users are walking
around with dirty needles and no immediate hope of recovery? The
people utilizing the clinic are the ones getting help. They should be
welcomed in a neighborhood that is already considered problematic.

In fact, if the clinic is not placed in a neighborhood where heroin
addicts are present, they may be less inclined to go to the trouble
of finding it. It's not unlike trying to lose weight by joining a
gym; unless the gym is close by, most people aren't motivated to work
out. If a methadone clinic is far away in an unfamiliar neighborhood,
the chances of heroin users making frequent trips across town to use
the clinic is less likely.

The proposed location will help more people than it will hinder. Kids
going to the Orpheum Children's Museum won't even notice the clinic.
It's not like a strip club is opening up, or something equally
eye-catching. The building will probably look like a doctor's office
and is going to be called "Harm Reduction Resources." Not many
children going to a museum will pay attention to anything other than
their awaited destination. Most kids won't notice it or care about
it. And if a child does ask what Harm Reduction Resources is, they
will likely have a parent or chaperon with them to explain it. There
is nothing wrong with telling a child that it is a clinic where
people go to get help with their problems.

We are one of the only cities our size in Illinois to not have a
methadone clinic. There are already clinics open in Springfield,
Decatur, Kankakee and Chicago. The presence of heroin addicts in
downtown Champaign is a fact.

Many have testified to the success of methadone clinics in other
cities. It is about time Champaign-Urbana brings a proven aid to the
heroin users of its town. With such an obvious need, we shouldn't get
hung up on placement.

When something is intended as a public service, the perfect location
shouldn't be the primary concern.