HOSPITAL ONLY SITE FOR METH CLINICS

A council decision to force methadone clinics to locate only next to
hospitals is not in the best interest of recovering addicts, says the
medical health officer for the region.

Dr. Roland Guasparini, of the South Fraser Health Region told council
Monday night as they considered final reading of the controversial bylaw,
"I don't think I'd recommend a clinic be at a hospital."

He said the facilities should be located where they're needed most.

"I don't think this bylaw is going to do anything to help the health of the
community."

Park City Clinic, which presently offers methadone treatment among its
other medical services at 103-10216 128 St., will not have to relocate as a
result of the new bylaw.

Park City director Justin Thomas says the bylaw will turn Surrey Memorial
Hospital into a "methadone mecca" by concentrating those services in one area.

Methadone clinics are seen as a critical part of the province's harm
reduction program, designed to aid recovering heroin addicts.

Clinics offer services including outpatient treatment, counseling, family
therapy, life skills development and educational seminars.

The clinics should not be confused with methadone dispensing pharmacies,
which operate independently and only provide the drug to recovering addicts
according to a doctor's prescription.

Despite the benefits of methadone clinics, Surrey council wants to keep
them out of residential areas.

Council initiated the bylaw last year after it was learned a methadone
clinic had located across from a elementary school in North Surrey. It has
since closed.

The legislation is designed to avoid the mistakes Vancouver has made in the
Downtown Eastside, according to Coun. Marvin Hunt.

"Vancouver has created a ghetto," Hunt said. "I don't see that as any kind
of vision for Surrey."

The complaints the city is receiving from the health region and the
province is a good sign, Hunt added. "I think maybe we've whacked the
beehive a bit."