METHADONE CLINICS HAVE THEIR PLACE

Addiction counselors, social workers and people with drug problems
love the idea. But many people don't even want to hear about the
value of methadone clinics, at least not in their
neighborhoods.

The NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) syndrome, is nothing new in Greater
Hazleton, where residents have opposed landfills, quarries, river
dredge backfilling, cargo airports and asphalt plants. Methadone
clinics don't in themselves cause environmental pollution, noise and
huge traffic jams, but some people worry about their clientele.
That's certainly been the case in Kidder Township, where 100
residents jammed a meeting room March 27 to oppose plans for a
methadone clinic on Route 940 at Lake Harmony. An official from
Pinnacle Treatment Services listed the benefits of methadone
clinics, which treat patients addicted to drugs ranging from heroin
to OxyContin. Project director Steve Shaner said the clinic would be
regulated by the state Health department, employ a physician,
therapist, two or three nurses and a program director. There would be
a security guard, too, said Shaner, who added, "We don't get many
problems."

Residents at the hearing weren't impressed. They said they were
worried about increased crime and s spike in traffic. "Tourism is a
mainstay in our community," said township supervisor Mary
Farnschalder. "Is this really the right place?"

While the Kidder Township crowd answered "No," the reaction has been
much quieter in Hazleton, where Discovery House, a Rhode Island-based
treatment center, has proposed opening a methadone clinic in the
Center City Medical Arts Complex at Laurel and Spruce streets in
downtown Hazleton.

When Discovery House initially floated the idea last summer for a
clinic in the former Stefanisko's Catering building on Route 309
South, there was only limited opposition from a few residents of
nearby Birch Knoll. However, the owner of the building subsequently
decided to use it for other purposes and Discovery House is now
setting its sights on the downtown location. The city zoning board
will hear the request May 1 at 7 p.m.

We hope Hazleton accepts the downtown clinic. There is an obvious
need for such centers, which help not only people hooked on illegal
drugs, but also those who have become dependent on prescription
medications.

While Kidder Township residents may have a point in asking why a
suburban-resort area needs a methadone clinic, Hazletonians should
see the convenience of a downtown location as a needed benefit for
those in need of treatment.