CITY HEALTH UNIT CONSIDERS SECOND METHADONE CLINIC

City should be providing this service, councillor says

The city's health unit is considering opening Ottawa's second methadone
clinic in the downtown area, Councillor Georges Bedard says.

The idea has been discussed for some time by Dr. Robert Cushman, the city's
medical officer of health, said the councillor for Rideau-Vanier.

"They're thinking of getting into this field because it's part of our
responsibility as a public health service to the community."

The clinic would dispense methadone, a medically prescribed replacement for
heroin and other opiates to those addicted to the narcotic.

"There have been discussions in the past, mostly from the health unit's
point of view, that this is the kind of service we should be providing. ...
If we can help people get off drugs and there are no services to them, then
the municipality is there and available to help."

If a clinic were to open, said Mr. Bedard, it would likely be located in
his ward, which includes the neighbourhoods of Sandy Hill and Lowertown.

Having a clinic situated on the east side of the Rideau Canal "would be
appropriate," he said, pointing out that one already exists on the west
side at 401 Somerset St., near Bank Street.

When that clinic opened in June, it unleashed a flurry of opposition,
primarily because of its controversial location beneath a seniors residence.

But Dr. Jeff Daiter, who was responsible for bringing the clinic to Ottawa,
highlighted the need for such a facility, pointing out that there were up
to 1,200 people on a waiting list for treatment at a clinic that could only
serve about 400.

The Centretown clinic is run by the Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres, a
network of about 20 methadone clinics throughout the province.

When asked why the city would not simply ask the network to run another
clinic, Mr. Bedard said the city was considering all options.

"We have to explore all the avenues, we're not closing any doors whatsoever
and if that seems to be the most logical and appropriate way of doing it,
that may well be. Or, it may be through other community clinics."

Studies have yet to be done to determine who would run the clinic, where it
should be located and how it would be financed, he said, adding the
proposal has not yet gone before council.